i 


■ 


THE 

IMPERIAL 

AUTHORITY 
OF 

TITUS 

FLAVIU5 


MM 


A  METRICAL  DRAMA 

OF  AN  ATTEMPT  UPON 

THE 

IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


OF 


TITUS  FLAVIUS 

ELEVENTH  CESAR 

WITH  THE  TRAGIC  FATE  OF 

CASCA  LENTULUS 

AND  THE 

VNHAPPY  CIRCUMSTANCES  OF  BIS 

ACCUSATION  AGAINST 

THE  EMPRESS  LIMA 


ACHLM  TCHODJK 


NEW  YORK 
RAVENWOOD  &  RUTLAND 

23*7' ST..  &  LEXINGTON  AVE. 

1901. 


Am-  KioiiTs  Resbiitbo. 

rrlgbl   19  1.  b] 
RA1  l  ITWOOD  A    Kill 

Entered  at  Stationers'  Hull. 
I         Ion.  ]        '    ml. 

II I 
-.  1   aiCHABDB. 


To  my  father. 


748186 


PROLOGUE. 

Upon  the  great,  wide  cloth  of  History, 
So  surely  rolling  from  the  looms  of  Time; 
So  laced  with  life  and  death  and  mystery, 
Shall  condemnation  fall  if  with  a  rhyme, 
Upon  a  long  forgotten  spot,  we  try 
To  'broider  in  sweet  Fancy's  silken  skeins, 
To  weave  a  pattern  that  shall  never  die, 
A  deft  design  where  love  forever  reigns? 
But  lest  the  grim  historian  be  wroth, 
For  him  the  play-bill  bears  a  line  or  two, 
That  he  may  pick  from  out  the  threads  of  cloth, 
The  gold  brocade,  the  purple  and  the  blue. 
Good  friends,  with  these  apologies  we  ask, 
Your  kindly  favor  for  both  mime  and  mask. 


APOLOGY. 

Descriptive  convenience  may  warrant  theemployment  of  the 
term  "unity  piece"  as  a  designation  for  this  play,  for  in  its 
construction  the  dramatic  unities  are  attempted,  the  action 
being  entire  and  taking-  place  upon  a  single  scene  within  a 
space  of  time  equivalent  to  that  which  would  have  been  occu- 
pied by  its  occurrence  in  reality. 

The  minor  unities  of  time  and  place  are  complete,  which  can 
scarcely  be  said  of  any  known  English  play  of  considerable 
length.  Some  centuries  ago,  the  ridiculous  contention  was 
made  in  France  that  these  unities  were  observed  when  the 
scenes  of  a  play  were  contained  within  the  walls  of  a  building 
and  the  elapsed  time  did  not  exceed  twenty  four  hours.  These 
bounds,  however,  proved  too  galling  and  it  presently  became 
permissible  for  the  scenes  to  dispose  themselves  anywhere  with- 
in the  city  limits,  while  the  time  allowance  was  increased  to 
thirty  hours. 

But  is  this  not  the  other  extreme?  Is  it  possible  to  observe 
the  unity  of  place  at  a  distance  greater  than  two  miles  and 
three  furlongs  from  the  city  hall?  Does  not  the  unity  of  time 
demand  the  denouement  within  twenty  seven  hours  and  fif- 
teen minutes?    These  are  parlous  questions. 

In  availing  themselves  of  these  licenses  the  English  drama- 
tists have  surrendered  the  real  unity,  for  in  a  play  in  which  the 
scene  is  shifted,  if  only  to  the  next  room,  or  the  curtain  drop- 
ped, if  for  but  a  moment,  the  effect  of  continuity  is  certainly 
lost.  Indeed,  with  the  curtain  once  down  the  modern  mind 
demands  a  complete  change  of  scene  and  the  supposed  pas- 
sage of  no  small  space  of  time,  for  if  further  incidents  are  to 
occur  on  the  same  scene  or  within  a  brief  time  it  argues  want 
of  skill  in  not  including  them  when  the  scene  was  open.  Any 
approximation  of  these  two  unities  has,  therefore,  an  inartis- 
tic effect. 

As  for  the  first  and  far  more  important  unity,  that  of  action; 
the  elusive  element  of  plot,  the  essential  quality  of  poetry,  the 
inner  significance  which  commands  immortality,    the  virtue 


often  undreamed  of  by  the  temporary  and  prolific  playwright, 
the  very  rock  of  the  theatre;  it  is  appropriate  to  say  no  more 
than  that  though  this  action  may  be  deemed  hurried  and  in- 
volved, the  greater  unity  has  been  attempted;  with  what  sue- 
time  alone  can  determine. 
An  attempt  at  complete  unity  is  not  open  to  criticism  for; 
as  the  supreme  expression  of  tin- human  race  is  in  poetry  and 
the  height  of  poetry  is  reached  in  the  tragic  drama;  that  ex- 
ecution which  embodies  the  important  effect  of  continuity  cer- 
tainly can  not  lie  inferior  to  a  disconnected  treatment.  Ridi- 
cule may  be  invited  by  the  disparity  between  desire  and  ability 
luit  the  integrity  and  appositeness  of  the  desire  can  not  he 
questioned. 

A  certain  freedom  has  been  gained;  at  the  sacrifice  of  regu- 
larity; by  tlit-  mechanical  arrangement  of  the  iambics  of  the 
hes  into  lines  of  lengths  dictated  by  the  thought  to  he 
conveyed,  the  typographical  appearance  or  the  vocal  require- 
mentsofa  reader.  A  justification  of  this  "symmetric  lining," 
as  well  a-  of  the  division  of  an  iambic  between  speeches,  the 

s  in  a  foot  and  the  transposition  of  the  1 
and  short  syllables,  is  to  be  found  in  "Th  5  ce  of  English 
b\  Sidne)  Lanier,  an  admirabl.  exposition  of  the 
fundamental  principles  of  versification.  Although  the  beauties 
of  the  pentametric  line  be  foregone,  th.a  broader  and  more 
subtle  rhythm  of  style,  of  which  no  an;  yet  to  have 

been  made,  the  hidden  rhythm  of  pros  ,  is  not  onlj  no1  surrea- 
d,  but  i-  more  dearly  brought  out,  for  the  effect  of  this 
method  of  lining  i>  to  facilitate  tin-  appreciation  of  the  printed 
page  b\  decreasing  the  labor  of  reading. 

.  historical  liberties  have  been  taken  and  the  relations 
between  the  historical  personages  are  such  as  are  supposed  to 
jted.     The  relation-  between  the  historical  and  the  in- 
rented  character-  and  the  incidents  arising  therefrom  are,  of 
course,  fictitious;  though  aot  improbable. 

di  ided  «t«  fiw  part-,  analogous  to  acts,  by 
th.  91 ,  ond  soliloquy  of  Gasca.  the  first  and  second  soliloquies 
<'f  Juvenal  and  the  .  :i  of  Titus. 

New  York  City, 

September,  1901.  AcHIM  TCHODJK. 


PERSONS  REPRESENTED. 

Given  in  the  order  of  their  appearance  on  the  scene. 

NAMES.  RELATIONS. 

*Aulus  C^ecina,  a  Roman  General. 
*Domitian,  afterward  the  12th. ,  and  last  Caesar. 

Tranquillius,  a  boy,  slave  to  Titus. 
*PLINY,  the  younger,  friend  of  Tacitus. 

CaSCA,  half-brother  to  Livia. 
'Tacitus,  the  historian,  friend  of  Pliny. 

Narcissa,  friend  to  Livia. 

Lucia,  a  young-  girl,  slave  to  Livia. 

Livia,  wife  of  Titus. 
*Titus,  the  11th.,  Caesar. 

Klabo,  chief  slave  of  the  Imperial  Palace. 

Hypokrates,  a  Grecian  astrologer. 
*Plotina,  wife  of  Trajan. 
+Gaudextius,  architect  of  the  Colosseum. 

Martha,  wife  of  Gaudentius. 
"BERENICE,  wife  of  Herod  and  Queen  of  Cilicia. 

Varro,  a  disloyal  soldier. 

•Juvenal,  the  satirist. 

Monides,  archer  to  Juvenal. 
+Apicius.  a  glutton. 

:  Vespasian,  Emperor  of  Rome,  10th. ,  Caesar. 
+Julia,  wife  of  Tacitus. 
Gallus,         \ 

Demetrius,  >  conspirators. 
Graccus,       ) 

'Trajan,  afterward  14th.,  Emperor  of  Rome. 
Sextus,  a  loyal  soldier. 
First  Plebiak,      \ 
Second  Plebian,    j-    leaders  of  the  mob. 
Third  Plebian,      J 

2616 

Various  Soldiers  and  Slaves  and  a  Mob. 

'Known  to  have  existed.  TBeheved  to  have  existed. 


LINES. 

AGES. 

160 

60 

20 

25 

37 

14 

122 

18 

395 

22 

118 

28 

126 

18 

19 

14 

359 

25 

345 

39 

5 

50 

101 

80 

13 

27 

39 

50 

11 

45 

184 

50 

58 

30 

206 

60 

40 

74 

44 

38 

69 

3 

22 

5 

35 

8 

50 

1 

28 

62 

28 

78 

40 

3 

20 

6 

50 

14 

90 

The 

Imperial  Authority 

of  Titus  Flavius. 


Place  :— ROME.  Year  :— 79  A.  D. 

SCENE:— An    atrium  in    the   IMPERIAL  PALACE  OF 
Vespasian.     Beyond  a  colonnade  the  city  is 
seen  on  distant  hills.    In  the  centre  of  the  scene, 
somewhat  elevated,    is  the  impluvium;   a  large, 
round  pool  of  water  within  a  broad  stone  wall, 
slightly  above  the  coping  of  which  project  the 
low-oval   tops   of   its   six    massive    equidistant 
posts.        From  the  panels  of  the  wall  between 
the  posts  extend  stone  ledges   or  seats,    with 
arms,  and  supporting   brackets   standing   for- 
ward,  at  the  ends,    upon  the  flagstone  floor. 
Behind  the  impluvium;   to  the  right,*    flanked 
by  columns;    is  a  wide  opening;   through  the 
stylobate  supporting  these  and  the  others  of 
the  inner  row  of  colonnade  columns;    into  the 
corridor,  a  step  higher,  running  entirely  across 
the  rear.      Besides  the  corridor  entrances  there 
are  two  others  on  each  side,  below  the  stylobate. 
The  middle  entrances  are  curtained;  the  tapes- 
try of  the  one  on  the  right  being  drawn,  while 
that  of  the  one  on  the  left  is  thrown  over  an  im- 
mense jar,    standing  between  the  entrance  and 
the  stylobate.    To  the  right  and  left  of  the  im- 
pluvium, somewhat  forward,  are  two  low,  small 
round-tables,    from  each  of  which  three  broad 
couches  radiate. 
Time  : — The  action extendsfrom  the  middle  of  a  change- 
able and  stormy  Spring  afternoon  to  sunset. 

'The  directions  "right"  and  "left"  are  taken  regarding  the  auditorium,  and  that  portion  of 
the  scene  nearest  th'  aSditorium  is  herein  designated  by  the  words  "Jront","down",  "lower  for- 
ward"ana  "below "'■  the  antonyms  of  which  are  affiled to  the  portion furthest removed:  the  inter- 
vening  space  being  referred  to  by  the  words  "middle"  and   centre  ,  strictly  used. 


.  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

AULUS  CAECINA: 
TV  fiift  (peaker,  being  difcouered  below  the  impluvvum  bv  the  ryfmg  curttyn, 
takes  afkroil  from  hysbreafte,  andprefentlie  fays  to  hymfelf,  as  he  unroHes  it  wyth 
delyberation: 

Could  resolution  unallied  prevail  against 

The  charging  foes  of  circumstance; 

Could  resolution  drive  them  hack  upon  their  dark  retrgats, 

And  sweep  the  fields  of  battle  clear; 

I  would  not  aslc  for  your  uncertain  aid, 

M  -  wrangling  and  suspicious  friends!  'a'n'ffiysH"SCToU 

'Tia  hitter  that  my  triumph  I  must  share  with  thee, 

But   grateful  is  the  thought  that  should  the  veired  hour, 

Brin«,r  forth  misfortune  and  defeat, 

The  most  respected  nanus  in  Rome  will  grace  my  fall. 

He  strikes  the  paper,  it  hen.  hear  ing  footsteps,  he  tries  to  replace 

ts.       Jn  alarm  Me  conceals  himself  below  rmddte 

right     DOMiTiAN  enters,  upper  right,  and  j./ranies  in  tnedi- 

■i.  counting  on  his  fingtri     lie  discovers  TRANQUiLLJ  US 

ing  in  mimicry  and  wctnU  htm  cut.  trltct   he  ts  presently 

turti.  :  ty  the  sounds  Of  l\t,ei  en  the  left, 

DOMITIAN. 

nth..  Ivne.  A  poet's  solitude,  it  doth  appear, 

b  never  sacred  to  the  chatterboxl  BMjlfmtrkfl  £„. 

trr.  upper  irtf,  PLINY,  fsthuvd  by  CASCA.    AVLLS  t*V§hp*i 
htmself  in  the  tapestry. 

PLINY. 

No  more'  No  more!  I'll  hear  no  morel''? "",f'*r°,'f" 

the  itytohale  open- 
ing PUNY  turns  to  CASCA  and  they  gradually  move  forward 

Thy  foul  and  bloody  purpose  chills  my  veins! 

CASCA. 

We  are  in  Caesar's  house,  my  friend! 

They  >av  the  sense  of  hearing  doth  pertain 

To  curtains,  jars  and  even  columns  here, 

That  secret  passageways  do  burrow  in  these  rocky  hills, 

Deep  down  to  silent  pits  and  gloomy  caverns,  down 

Jo  To  the  very  jaws  of  Night  herself. 

PLINY. 

Already,  Casca,  fearful  of  the  spoken  word; 
How  wilt  thou  shake  when  thou  hast  laid 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

The  Flavians  in  their  reeking  tombs, 

And  swarms  of  emperors  from  every  camp, 

Spring  up  to  claim  the  throne,  and  with  their  veteran  legions 

Hurry  here  to  Rome  from  Dacia,  Britain,  Egypt,  Gaul; 

On  war  and  bloody  mischief  bent? 

CASCA. 

The  fire  of  my  ambition,  bold, 

Will  scorch  and  wither  up  these  green,  pretending  fools. 

30  Ah,  Pliny,  when  the  fateful  hour  doth  come; 

I'll  loose  such  thunderbolts  of  battle  and  of  wrath, 

That  down  the  limitless  extent  of  Time's  long  aisles, 

,,    r  11        Enter  TACITUS,  up- 

Their  echoes  shall  forever  roll.   ,r  if/t,  his  »«.»«- 

showing   that    he   lias 
_._.  .„  been  a  party  to  the  con- 

TACITUS.  versatfon. 

And  shall  forever  echo  you  a  traitor  and  a  thief. 
CASCA. 

,  •     u  [Dashes  in  this  manner  111- 

I  have  aS  gfOOd  a  rignt---    dicate  the  breaking™  of  the 
6  speech  following. } 

TACITUS. 

What  right  have  you? 

CASCA. 

What  right  has  he? 

TACITUS. 

The  right  to  give  as  ten  years  more  of  peace, 
Of  happiness,  of  harvest  wealth,  of  heavy  laden  vines! 

CASCA. 

40  The  grapes  upon  the  vine, 

Shall  they  decay  and  wither  when  the  diadem  of  Rome 
Adorns  these  destined,  fateful  brows? 

PLINY. 

O  mad,  devoted  senator! 

O  blind  and  fevered  fool! 

To  what  obscure  and  distant  corner 

Hath  thy  reason  flown, 


i  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

That  thou  wouldst  dare  this  dizzy  height 
Of  Roman  grandeur,  frowning  in  the  clouds? 
II. itli  the  scepter  of  the  empire, 
5°  Trembled  yet,  in  old  Vespasian's  hands? 

That  venerahle,  firm  and  well  beloved  man  first  bars your  wav. 

CASCA. 
A  log;  decayed  and,  Pliny,  crumbling;  soon  removed. 

PLINY. 
Then  stands  tin-  mighty  oak.  my  friend  and  yours, 

»ng  Titus;  he  who  battered  down  Jerusalem's  walls, 

And  devastated  all  the  slopes  of  Pale-tine; 
Think  you  to  measure  -words  with  him? 

CASCA. 

H'  saved  himself  a  Jewish  queen, 

And  -he  hath  dulled  In-  edge, whilst  their  debaucheri  - 

Save  filled  the  Roman  heart  with  dread;  they  Bee  in  him, 

&o         A  ml  Nero!  Titus  doth  deserve  their  hate! 

Tiberius,  the  bloody,  '-  born  again;  and  vile  Caligula, 
l\  animate  doth  walk,  when  Titus  rises  from  his  couch! 

PLINY. 

Stop!  Casca,  stop!  You  know  that  Berenice  lives 

In  banishment  from  Rome; 

Sent  out  as  Julius  Caesar  sent  dark  Egypt's  queen; 

And  it  becomes  you  not,  to  thus  revive  old  scandals,  Casca; 

When  the  gentle  Titus,  all  mankind's  delight; 

Who  never  let8  a  da)  go  by  without  a  favor  done; 

When  Titus  no*  hath  mad.  your  sister  Livia  his  honored  wife. 

CASCA. 
7°  His  honored  wife! 

<>h  Pliny!  Livia  was  a  restal  pure,  until, 

By  magic  Grecian  art-  he  won  her  from  her  sacred  character: 

The  punishment  which  ages  have  decreed  against  her  crime, 

1-  'iving  burial  there  beyond  the  north  Collinian  gate. 

When  he  i-  tired  of  her;  and  does  he  not, 

Already,  keep  her  hidden  weeks  and  months  awav; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.         s 

This  doom  will  end  my  sister's  joy. 

PLINY. 

When  Titus  proves  himself  so  base,  your  hour  will  then  be  come; 

And  Pliny.  Flavian  admirer  that  he  is,  will  join  your  cause. 
Till  then  forbear,   for  even  should  you  hack  this  oak  to  earth, 
The  younger  brother,  sly  Domitian;  timid,  crafty,  fellDomitian, 

He  who  hides  beneath  the  poet's  cloak  his  wolfish  nature, 
83  He,  will  strike  you  from  behind. 

CASCA. 

Domitian 's  days  are  dropping, 
Like  the  petals  of  a  rose-bud  eaten  by  a  worm. 

TACITUS. 

In  plainer  words  you've  hired  his  murderers.  feitssCj 
Will  you,  yourself,  despatch  him? 

PLINY. 

Casca!  Thou,  a  murderer! 

Come,  clip  thy  mad  Ambition's  wings, 

90  And  be  not  tempted  to  this  fearful  flight. 

The  cup  of  pomp  and  power, 

The  intoxicating  cup  of  rule  and  domination, 

Cast  from  thy  eager  lips,  away; 

The  draught  is  death!  ^^SMS'SE 

ing  dots  with  great  rapidity.  ( The  Roman  shorthand  is  said  to 
have  consisted  of  series  of  points  in  varying  relations.)  the 
sounds  of  footsteps  on  the  flagstone  floor  are  heard. 

A  treasure  worth  far  more  to  thee, 
Than  Caesar's  purple  or  his  gold:  Narcissa  comes. 

Enter  upper  right  NARC/SSA,  presently  followed  by  LUCIA, 
who  is  carrying  a  basket  of  flowers.  Exeunt  boll,  upper  left  with- 
out having  seen  the  others,  who  are  down  right. 

CASCA. 

Did  I  love  her  as  she  loves  me....  &3&&f *  "" 
My  life  long  dreams  have  been  of  glory,  not  of  love. 

TACITUS. 

Do  dreams  of  justice  never  trouble  you? 

CASCA. 
•00  The  Roman  law  forbids  the  union  of 


.  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

A  bondman's  daughter  with  such  blood  as  mine. 

PLINY. 

Her  Eather  rose  to  freedom, 

She,  outshines  the  noblest  ladies  of  the  court; 

She  lives  within  your  sister's  sweet  regard, 

She  hath  the  emperor's  respect  despite  her  unwise  love  for  you; 

Remove  this  stain  upon  your  honor. 

Ere  Vespasian's  willingness  to  change  the  law, 

Is  murdered  by  yourstubborn  mood. 

CASCA. 
ioq  Did  you  persuade  me  to  the  other  course, 

Alreadj  had  1  aet  meou  the  throne  with  you  for  ministers. 

PLINY. 

Oh!  Casca,  look!  <  >h,  look  where  Livia  comes  I 

The  charm  of  dignity  in  every  movement  lies, 

She  hath  the  Fascination  of  immortal loveflkeSI  — 

St,  LIVIA      ■•>/!>■    ,'jsses   across,    unconscious  of 
the  presence  oj  the  other     t>n  the  Jt « tie 

How  like  a  gentle  breath  she  moves  along  t  lie  corridor, 

1  low  liken  dream  her  presence  makes 
Thecold  and  gloomy  hallways  of  this  palace  seem.... 

Bxit  upptr  ien.  LIVIA. 

She,   CaSCa,  is  thy  sister; 

Hers  the  eyes  to  blind  with  tears  and  burn, 
»9  And  hers  thi  voice  to  choke  with  grief, 

And  her-  the  heart  tOCTUSb  beneath  thy  ruthless  heel, 

When  thou  -halt  kill  Vespasian  on  his  throne, 

And  lay  the  noble  Titus  in  his  undeserved  tomb! 

CASCA. 

With  Titus  dying,  who  could  comfort  her  as  well  as  thou? 

CASCA ptrtsttn  that  TACITOH  has  been  writingin  shorthand. 

You've  copied  down  our  conversation,  have  you  not? 

TACITUS 
I  have. 

CASCA. 

What  purpose  you? 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.         7 

TACITUS. 

It  is  my  habit,  thus,  to  cheat  Oblivion  of  her  prey; 

By  this  means  I  preserve  the  finely  polished  sentences, 

Which  drop  complete  from  Pliny's  lips. 

CASCA. 

You  then  neglected  mine. 

TACITUS. 

Not  so,  I  put  them  in. 

CASCA. 

i«  Then  rub  them  quickly  out. 

TACITUS. 

I'll  let  them  stay;  the  contrast  would  be  spoilt. 

CASCA. 

I  wish  them  out;  they're  safer  out. 

TACITUS. 

m,  ,  <•  •4.1,  w.^     TACITUS  places  the  tablet  in 

They  re  safe  with  me.  kis  breast. 
I'll  keep  the  tablet  as  an  evidence, 
Of  treason  and  conspiracy,  should  I  be  called  upon  to  testify. 

CASCA. 

Are  you  against  me  sir? 
The  evidence  is  valueless;  whole  books  of  it, 
140  In  secret,  you  could  write. 

TACITUS. 

But  this  will  be  supported  by  the  oath  of  Pliny,  here; 

A  witness  not  to  be  despised. 

CASCA. 

And  you  against  me,  where  I  thought  to  find, 
My  chiefest  advocate? 

PLINY. 

I'll  never  have  occasion  to  substantiate  this  evidence. 

CASCA. 

Are  you  my  ally,  then? 


i  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

PLINY. 

Nay,  not  thy  ally  but  thy  friend: 

Though  Tacitus  contents  himself  with  evidence, 

Against  the  possibility  of  trial;  more,  much  more, 

150  Shall  I  require,  to  satisfy  myself; 

So,  Casca  Lentullus,  I  warn  thee  now, 
Proceed  no  further  with  this  dark  conspiracy; 
Take  thou  one  step  and  Caesar  takes  the  next. 

CASCA. 

Would  you  betray  me,  sir? 

PLINY. 
For  nothing  less  than  Rome.... 

TACITUS. 
And  now  we  mav  discus  more  pleasing  things. 

1  kr\  <ht,   lvhrn  NARCISSA  rnters  tower 

1   PLINY  bows.     TACITUS  >/JnJs 
•  1. 

NARCISSA. 

Oh  Casca,  have  you  seen  a  little  chicken  running  hereabout; 

A  most  demure  and  modest  mannered  bird. 

CASCA. 
I  aee  yourself. 

NARCISSA. 
160  I  m.-an  another  one:  /r„/,r,  icnrrruf,.  lucia. 

She  answer-  to  the  name  of  Livia  when  you  cluck. 

CASCA. 

Ah,  Pliny,  here  can  tell  you  how, 

She  just  now  walked  along  the  corridor. 

NARCISSA. 

Thanks!  Thank-!  Just  how.  hare  not  since  I  know  she  did. 

/,  ufptr  left      LUCIA    .-/.. 

LUCIA. 

S.ime  day  I  think  she'll  stop. 

CASCA. 

And  whv? 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

LUCIA. 
You  know,  I  think.  fl""' Lir,A-  ^ ** 

CASCA. 

Narcissa  seeks  you.   She  hath  but  this  moment  gone, 
In  all  her  wonted  restlessness. 

LIVIA. 
170  Left  she  no  word  of  why  she  wanted  me? 

CASCA. 

We  had  no  time  to  ask  ere  she  was  out. 

LIVIA. 

Narcissa,  child!  Narcissa,  child!  /;/f''(^ll,"/%-.,^/J. 


SA  reenters  after  LIVIA  has   concealed  herself  behind  the  large 
'    't/t.     LUCIA  employs  herself  with  f 


NARCISSA. 
Upon  my  word,  my  ears  heard  Livia  call  me,  twice! 

CASCA. 

But  your  bright  eyes  confirm  you  no  such  lies. 

NARCISSA. 

So  Titus  hath  taught  you  his  knack  of  rhyme  making; 

Poor  fellow,  I  know  your  dear  head  must  be  aching. 

She  pats  CASCA  S  head. 

PLINY. 

Not  so,  gentle  lady,  he  spoke  from  the  heart; 
For  he's  deep  in  your  debt;  this  was  payment  in  part, 
For  the  falsehood  he  told  as  you  flew  like  a  dart, 
180  For  his  was  the  voice  and  his  mimic  art, 

Made  Livia's  tones  from  'twixt  his  lips  start. 

NARCISSA. 

I  do  not  believe  it,  so  call  me  once  more, 
To  prove  that  your  throat  can  such  sweetness  outpour. 

PLINY. 

The  mellowing  touch  of  separation, 

Is  required  to  qualify  his  tones: 

Return  then  to  the  corridor  and  he  will  speak  again. 


IO 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


NARCISSA. 
I'll  hear  the  mimic  cry,  right  where  I  stand. 

CASCA. 

Narcissa,  child! 

PLINY. 

189  You  see  the  charm  is  dead, 

We'll  go  and  call  you  from  the  statue  by  the  pool. 

They  move  forward  and  to  the  right  after  NARCISSA  has  kiss- 
ed CASCA. 

LIVIA.  Aside, 
Oh  could  I  change  this  dull,  cold  jar  to  Titus, 
What  a  joy  'twould  be,  for  him  and  me! 

She  kisses  the  jar.  NARCISSA  thereupon  discovers  her  and 
quickly  joins  the  group,  lower  right.  Exit  LIVIA,  cunningly, 
lower  left. 

NARCISSA. 

Come!  Come!  I'll  show  you  how  the  mellowing  touch 

Of  separation  is  required  to  qualify  his  tones; 

I'll  illustrate  the  magic  of  his  mimic  art; 

The  secret  of  his  charm  hides  there;  no  one  but  Livia  herself. 

They  exatnine  the  place  and  laugh  at  NARCISSA. 

CASCA. 

You  say  this  jar  is  Livia,  herself? 

PLINY. 

This  stone,  perhaps;  or  this  one;  they  may  serve, 
To  illustrate  your  magic  mimic  art.  To  CASCA- 

LIVIA  enters,  upper  left,  demurely. 

LIVIA. 

200  What  interests  you  so  about  the  jar? 

CASCA. 

Narcissa  claims  that  you  were  just  now  hid  behind  it; 
Or  perhaps  you  were  inside. 

LIVIA. 

How  quaint  a  fancy,  that; 
To  lodge  within  the  precincts  of  so  sensible  a  head. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 


ii 


NARCISSA. 

How  quaint  a  color,  that; 

To  lodge  upon  the  precincts  of  so  red  a  pair  of  lips. 

How  strange!  It  matches  quite  an  odd,  round  spot, 

Upon  this  jar. . . .     Oh  hypocrites !  Most  charming  hypocrites ! 

Come  tell  me  now  some  more  about  that  wondrous, 
210  Mellowing  touch  of  separation,  BKiSSLB 

That  peculiar  mimic  art  of  thine.  %gg3£ti.arw  t0  be 
What  is't  I  hear?. . . .  Good  friends,  who's  bit  whose  tongue? 

T,      •        A^*.\    Exeunt  PLINY,  TACITUS  and  CASCA.  lower  right. 
.L/UUa,   aear:    NARCISSA  whispers  to  LUCIA.    UVIA  iits. 

LIVIA. 

Was  that  quite  fair? 

NARCISSA. 

It  was  not  quite  as  fair  as  hiding  when  we'd  made  for  thee, 

A  holm  oak  wreath;  and  woven  it  with  wild  flowers  rare; 

Such  flowers  as  only  spring;  they  say,  from  earth  that's  felt, 

A  shower  of  human  blood,  of  victims  sacrificed  to  gods  divine. 

LIVIA  takes  the  wreath  and  NARCISSA  sits  opposite  her,  on 
the  left  end  of  the  impluvium  seat.  LUCIA  watches  upper  right, 
where  TRANQUILLl US  enters.  They  converse  apart,  over  the 
stylobate. 

LIVIA. 

A  dark,  strange  riddle  that  so  pure  a  flower, 
Should  nurture  in  a  soil  so  terrible Oh  1 

She  is  hurt  by  a  thorn  in  the  wreath, 

NARCISSA. 

I  did  not  go  to  do  it,  dear:  There,  there,  'twas  not  a  thorn. 

It  does  not  hurt  you  much.  ffiSSSSB 

222  Come,  come,  forget  the  trifling  wound \pfuviJm0" 

I'll  let  you  win  a  game  of  hucklebones,  I  will. 
Watch,  Lucia,  watch! 

She  produces  five  small,  cubic  blocks  and  they  play  in  the  manner 
of  the  present-day  game  of  chuckle  stones  or  jacks. 

Three,  two;  you  have  already  won. 

LIVIA. 

And  three  more  makes  me  four. 

NARCISSA. 

In  counting  thus,  I  vow  the  game  is  made  to  move 


12 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


With  unaccustomed  speed.  LUC,A  warns  thenu 
We'll  finish  it  some  other  time;  you're  not  much  hurt; 
For  see,  here  Titus  comes,  and  he  hath  frowning  said, 
231  '  'This  pastime  lacks  in  dignity. ' ' 

I  fear  the  monster.   Come,  escape  while  yet  you  may! 

Exeunt  NARCISSA  and  LUCIA,  lower  right.  TRAA'QUAL- 
LI US  vaults  the  stylobate  and  follows  them  out.  Enter  TITUS, 
upper  right. 

TITUS. 

Sweet  Livia....  Why  Li  via!  My  dear! 

She  remains  seated  and  continues  to  take  no  notice  of  him 

What  spell  prevents  the  movement  of  thy  lips? 

She  moves  her  lips.  He  betrays  amusement  but  she  frowns  and 
he  is  unable  to  fathom  her  mood.  He  is  on  the  left.  She  presently 
speaks. 

LIVIA. 

You  just  now  spoke? 

TITUS. 

No!  No!  I  wanted  to.   I  would  have  asked  what  magic 

Held  your  lips  so  firm;  from  whence  this  mood, 

This  coldness,  this  unusual  distance  comes? 

LIVIA. 

You  spoke,  sweet  sir? 

TITUS. 

240  Ah,  Livia, tell  me  what  I've  done,  dear; 

Leave  me  not  to  grope  thus  in  the  darkness  of  your  discontent. 

Exists  there  no  way  out? 

LIVIA. 

As  I  am  never  discontent,  there's  no  way  out. 

TITUS. 

How  many  hours,  then,  till  the  dawn  of  thy  forgiving  smiles? 
What  have  I  done  that  I  should  suffer  thus? 

LIVIA. 

'Tis  not  so  much  what  you  have  done,  that  should  provoke  me; 

It  is  your  neglect  and  what  you've  failed  to  do, 

That  rouses  up  the  wolf  within  my  breast; 

Though  I  congratulate  myself  on  having, 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        « 

Smgly  and  alone,  o'ercome  my  temper,  so  that  now, 
I  say  in  truth,  I  never  knew  myself  more  lovable. 

TITUS  perceives  that  Iter  anger  is  simulated. 

TITUS. 

252  And  never  showed  yourself  as  little  so. 

What  is't  I've  failed  to  do? 

LIVIA. 

To  keep  your  temper,  sir. 

TITUS. 

I  never  knew  myself  more  lovable. 

LIVIA. 

And  never  looked  so  black; 

Know  then,  when  I  just  now,  most  foolishly, 

Desired  to  kiss  my  husband  he  was  miles  away, 

And  I  was  then  compelled  to  kiss  that  jar, 

So  blackening  my  lips  that  they  mistook  me  for  a  clown: 

I  thought  they'd  laugh  the  very  curtains  down. 

TITUS. 

262  If  you  had  sent  me  word  or  had  I  known — 

LIVIA. 

A  miserable  lover  thou,  to  feel  no  inkling  of  my  pain. 

So  much  did  I  desire  thee  that  the  very  air, 

Was  heavy  with  my  longing: 

Thy  light  heart,  was  it  oppressed ! 

True  love  had  flown  from  Egypt  even, 

Though  my  wish  had  trivial  been. 

If  I  had  sent  thee  word  or  hadst  thou  known. 

270  Break  not  the  humble,  innocent,  black  jar. 

TITUS. 

Who  laughed  at  thee? 

LIVIA. 

Nor  wreak  your  poor  remorse  upon  their  heads; 

They  had  good  cause  to  laugh, 

While  you  had  no  excuse  for  staying  hence. 


«4 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


TITUS. 

You'll  let  me  black  my  lips  as  yours  were  blacked. 

He  kisses  the  jar  in  front, 

LIVIA. 

The  color  comes  not  off, 
The  jar  hath  found  you  out  for  what  you  are. 

TITUS. 

Am  I  to  blame  because  my  lips  have  not  the  sweetness  requisite 

To  melt  the  very  lacquer  of  the  jar? 
280  It  sure  hath  found  me  out  for  what  I  am, 

A  dull,  cold,  miserable  piece  of  clay,  no  better  than  itself. 

J_il      ***•     She  rises  and  embraces  him. 

You  speak  the  truth  for  once  and  I, 
I  love  the  truth;  I  kiss  the  truth  you  represent; 

Not  you,  yourself;  oh,  no,  no,  no,  no!  ££■*?*£&" 
But  you  were  on  some  errand;  finish  it. 

TITUS. 

I  have  forgot- - 

LIVIA. 

The  truth... 

TITUS. 

I  went  to  greet  our  coming  guests. 

LIVIA. 

Then  I'll  await  them  here,  rirusgves^. 

,_._  TS+nel         He  sees  that  she  is  reproving  him  for  leaving  her  without  a  fare- 

J-yjrJ  i-lLUa.         well  kiss.    He  returns,  kisses  her,  ami  goes  out,  tipper  left.   She 

rn/>s  the  hiss-spot  off  the  jar. 

Titus,   I've  concluded  now  to  go. 

Exit  LI  VI A,  upper   left.     AULUS  appears  from  the  tapestry. 

AULUS. 

Oh  love  sick  Titus,  vain,  contented  married  man; 

I  could  disturb  thy  satisfaction  by  the  news, 

Of  this  new  hatching  plot  which  Casca  sits  upon; 

But  what  a  shame  'twould  be  to  spoil  thy  pleasure  thus, 

And  what  a  blunder  in  a  statesman  like  myself: 

No,  Titus,  rest  thee  well,  fear  not  the  schemes 


of  TITUS  FLAV1US.        * 

Of  such  weak,  timid  boys  and  dread  not  mine, 
For  when,  as  the  boastful  Casca  loves  to  say, 
300  The  fateful  moment  doth  arrive; 

The  loving-  kindness  of  a  midnight  dagger  driven  home, 

Makes  thee  a  Roman  god;  a  fate  thou  shouldst  invite. 

And  while  I  'wait  the  hour,  I  might  as  well  remove 

This  Casca  Lentullus;  the  time  might  come, 

When  I  had  rather  see  him  in  his  tomb  than  in  his  toga. 

Livia:  She  would  bewail  the  loss  of  Titus, 

Till  my  throne  might  shake,  so  she  must  bend  to  my  necessity. 

I'll  spare  her  life  and  let  her  while  her  time  in  slavery; 

A.Nl^-.r.;^.^  ^i.,,^,.      Enter    KLABO,     upper   right. 
pleasing  Sia  \  ery.     The  scene  is  darkened  by  a  storm. 

Oh  Klabo,  come!  My  mind  is  troubled  by  a  dream; 

The  Greek  astrologer  Hypokrates  stands  by  the  palace  gate; 

312  Have  him  brought  in  to  me.  He  gives  KLABO  money' 

KLABO. 

It  shall  be  done. 

AULUS. 

But  speak  on  no  account  of  my  infirmity. 

Exit  KLABO,  middle  left. 

Oh  powers  divine,  'tis  now  I  feel  I  am  your  favored  instrument; 

The  plot  you've  just  compounded  in  my  brain  to  match 

These  several  ends,  I'll  put  in  execution  this  same  hour; 

And  Casca  soon  shall  be  removed  by  Titus'  wrath, 

Though  Titus  will  not  dream  he  hatched  a  plot; 

320  For  both  shall  in  this  turmoil  be  confused. 

The  surface  of  the  water  in  the  impluvium  is  disturbed  by  drops 
of  rain.  After  holding  out  his  hand  to  feel  the  rain  A  ULUS moves 
to  a  less  exposed  position  on  the  left.  HYPOKRA  TES  enters, 
middle  left. 

Hypokrates,  a  fee,  a  lordly  fee  awaits  thy  claws, 

In  case  the  matter  which  I  have  in  mind, 

Is  helped  along  by  your  vile  arts. 

Know  you  on  sight  the  rich  patrician,  Casca  Lentullus 

The  senator;  whose  sister  was  the  vestal  Livia? 

HYPOKRATES. 

I  know  him  well. 


*  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

AULUS. 

And  thou  art  known  to  him? 

HYPOKRATES. 

That  honor  hath  not  been  accorded  me. 

AULUS. 
329       Tis  well.  I  see  him  coming.    Here,  aside  with  me, 
Till  I  instruct  thee  in  a  part  I  have  for  thee  to  play. 

Exeunt  A  OH  'S  and  IIYl'OKRA  TES,  iju.tr  lejt.    Enter,  lowt  r 
rixkt.  CA  5 

CASCA. 

He  stops  me  with  an  empty  threat. 

A  boj  and  yet  he  blocks  Ambition's  course, 

And  thu>  my  overmastering  desire  is  put  in  leading  Btrings. 

A  boy!  A  boy!  A  boy,  indeed! 
( I  speak  to  Caesar  soon,  good  Pliny,  speak  to  C  >un. 

Enter  All. VS.  hmei 

Aulii-.  scarred  warrior,  good  day  to  tli 

AULUS. 
You  note  my  wound-. 

CASCA. 

To  envy  them. 

AULUS. 
Am:  were  thej  yours,  what  use  wouldst  make  of  them? 

CASCA. 

Ha  'U  my  youth,  what  use  wouldst  makeof  it? 

1st  thou  my  wealth,  the  presl 

<  if  the  name  of  Lentullus. 

My  rich  patrician  blood,  my  eloquence; 

What  use  wouldst  make  of  them? 

AULUS. 

I  would  not  idly  stand  and  long  for  scars; 

I  would  n<>t  watch  contentedly, 

The  antics  of  a  country  boor  upon  the  Roman  throne. 

CASCA 

I've  known  thee  for  a  bitter  man, 


of  TITUS  FLAVTUS.        n 

But  now  you  over- step  most  dangerous  bounds. 

AULUS. 

350        Whilst  thou  dost  halt  at  thy  inviting  Rubicon. 

CASCA. 

Misjudge  me  if  you  will,  and  call  my  caution  fear«. 

But  why  hidst  thou  thy  meaning  in  a  metaphor? 

Have  you  a  soldier's  tongue? 

AULUS. 
I  have!  And  though  you  hawk  to  Caesar  what  I  say, 

And  bring  me  back  my  words, 

Transformed  to  daggers  by  his  anger,  yet  I'll  speak: 

I  dream  of  you  as  emperor;  I  picture  you, 

Decked  with  imperial  purple,  ruling  all  the  world. 

CASCA. 

Another  counselor  like  you  and  I  would  dream  such  dreams, 

And  draw  myself  such  images  of  pomp  and  power. 

AULUS. 

A  man  of  courage  need  not  ask  for  more  than  one  such  counselor. 

I  was  in  Spain  when  Nero  died  and  there  I  cast  my  eye  about, 

And  spying  worthy  Galba,  took  to  him  my  troops, 

And  with  them  victory. 

When  Otho  shortly  seized  the  throne, 

I  whipped  the  armies  he  sent  out  and  made  Vitellius  emperor. 

Vespasian's  friends  advanced,  and  at  Verona 

We  came  face  to  face; 

369  I  could  have  crushed  them  there  forever,  but 

Vitellius  had  not  proven  worthy  of  the  purple;  I  surrendered: 

Had  I  fought; 

The  proud  Vespasian,  where  would  he  be  now, 

Who  styles  himself  "The  Favorite  of  Destiny, " 

Who  chills  at  my  approach;  forgets 

That  I  have  made  him  all  he  is? 

You've  now  grown  up  a  man  and  you  shall  be 

My  sweeping  hand  to  cuff  these  Flavian  upstarts  back, 

To  the  soil  from  whence  they  sprang. 


8  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

CASCA. 

Have  you  no  dreams? 

AULUS. 
38°  I  am  too  old  and  have  too  many  foes, 

It  seems  that  I  must  be  content  to  give  the  power; 

And  take  it  back. 

'But  Casca,  know  that  I  am  not  alone  in  this  advice; 

Sec-,  here's  a  list  of  men. 

Fresh  pledged  to  overcome  the  Flavian  boors; 

And  all  we  lack's  a  man  to  take  their  robes. 

In  midnight  councils  we  have  wearily  discussed, 

And  cast  about  in  search  of  such  a  man; 

At  last,  despite  your  youth,  on  you  the  choice  lias  fallen; 

I  have  come,  their  representative,  to  offer  von  the  leadership, 

And  finding  you  BO  apt™-£^ttFH^S&^-  A/~"^  """<*'" 

HYPOKRATES. 
Via!  Yea!  1  will  see  Casca  Lentullus! 
393  Most  noble  Casca,  1  do  beg  of  you,  Kn»uvtc casca. 

Abide  my  presence  and  dismiss  your  friend, 

For  I  have  had  a  vision  touching  vou, 
My  new  -  COmeS  duw  n  from  Heaven,  straight! 

timr   t.<  time  ALIAS  and  HYPOKRATBS  craftily  CO*, 
-itulate  ej.-h  other  on  their  tmectti  in  itctnring  CASCA. 

CASCA. 
H>  is  my  friend.   Proceed. 

HYPOKRATES. 

As  I  lay  dr  lining  in  m v  cave  last  night, 

I  m  old  time  <  rrecian  Kr™ndeur, 

Suddenly  I  felt  myself  whisked  through  the  air, 

And  ages  passed  it  aeemed;  at  last, 

I  b>und  myself  upon  the  edge  of  some  vast  plain; 

Around  it  mountains,  through  it  rivers, 

•fM  While  the  verdure  blessed  the  eyesight, 

And  the  Eragrance  of  the  miditowers, 

Wrth  the  music  of  the  birds, 

So  hrfk-d  the  other  master  senses, 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

That,  methought  I  must  expire  for  joy; 

And  so  I  would  have  done 

Had  not  the  gods  been  in  a  frowning  mood, 

Which  so  alloyed  the  atmosphere  that  I  could  live; 

413  For  you  must  know  the  place  was  Paradise. 

And  though  I  was  not  bid  to  speak  to  you, 

Yet  from  their  talk  'twas  evident  that  I  have  been  selected, 

To  inform  the  object  of  their  wrath 

What  reparation  he  must  make  to  gain  their  favor 

And  avert  the  doom  which  they  in  congress  have  decided  on. 

CASCA. 
Have  I  been  noticed  by  the  gods,  have  I  aroused  their  anger? 

Go  impostor!  tell  your  lies  to  ears  more  gullible. 
po  Here's  what  you  want,  away!  f^g&2££#ta" 

HYPOKRATES. 

1  speak  the  truth. 

AULUS. 

This  wierd  astrologer 
Hath  ever  borne  a  supernatural  fame. 

HYPOKRATES. 

The  goddess  Vesta  rages  with  the  insult  offered  her, 

By  Livia's  desertion  of  her  sacred  temple, 

And  that  foul,  unnatural  marriage  to  the  tyrant's  son. 

The  other  residents  of  Paradise  are  scarcely  less  incensed; 

They  have  decreed  that  Livia  shall  answer  with  her  life. 

CASCA. 

Oh  monstrous  verdict !  Fellow  thou  art  come  from  Hades,  not-  - 

HYPOKRATES. 

Let  not  the  hateful  uniform  of  poverty  impeach  my  character; 

All  men  of  mystic  knowledge,  like  myself, 
431  Are  doomed  to  wear  such  rags; 

For  had  we  raiment  fit  to  match  our  occult  fame, 
Dire  consequences  would  result  from  our  ambitious  plots. 

CASCA. 

Go  on. 


20 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


HYPOKRATES. 

They  have  decreed  that  Livia  shall  answer  with  her  life: 

That  you  shall  be  their  instrument, 

That  you  shall  offer  up  your  sister,  now,  a  sacrifice  to  Vesta; 

Failing  which,  she,  you  and  all  your  family 

Shall  perish  from  the  earth. 

CASCA. 

Oh  fearful  sentence! 

Greek,  I  tell  thee  thou  art  come  from  Had  s, 

Justice  hath  her  splendid  seat  on  high! 

HYPOKRATES. 
^•44  And  Justice  is  offended  by  thy  sister's  deed. 

CASCA. 

The  dav  of  human  sacrifice  in  Rome  has  passed. 

The  appointed  Fate  for  Binning  vestals  hath  tor  centuries  been 
-.in-  burial  not  a  bloody  sacrifice. 

HYPOKRATES. 

than  hat  h  ever  been  commited  by  a  vestal. 
So  her  punishment  with  greater  horror  is  decreed. 
'Tis  time  t<>  choo 
You  must  not  bait  tin  gods  with  indecision. 

You  must  spring,  with  all  the  panther's  swiftri 
To  their  work.  Tl  I  must  be  completed 

While  the  >un  yet  shines  above  the  horizon. 

Hut  know  that  >hould  this  I  diet  of  tl).-  gods 
Be  manfully  obeyed,  their  favor  will  b  1, 

:57  d  the\    will  sho   .<  i     '.  li  ,:ftS 

Thou  feelst  inclined  to  J 
Tis  time  to  choose.... 

CASCA. 

I  will  ol.  y 

HYPOKRATES. 
Your  resolution 's  ;  you  will  not  stop  for  tears, 

of  Titu>*  pov. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

CASCA. 

The  sun  shall  set  upon  the  execution  of  this  fearful  deed; 
The  gods  alone  have  power  to  change  my  will. 

HYPOKRATES. 

I  brought  me  back  from  Heaven,  sir, 
A  oair  of  sacred  birds,  and  they  shall  guide  our  course. 

Exit   HYPOKRATES,  middle  left,  after  having  been   sec/cily 
congratulated  by  A  U ' L  US. 

AULUS. 

It  warms  my  cold,  grey  heart  to  see  again  a  man 

"Who  does  not  hesitate,  who  rises  to  the  hour; 

But  let  my  long  experience  teach  thee  now  the  surest  course. 

CASCA. 
470  I  tremble,  Aulus,  at  my  resolution; 

Guide  me  with  thy  steady  hand  into  the  royal  port, 
And  through  this  storm,  and  you  shall  never  say: 

"He  chills  at  my  approach. ' '  &™W^  J& 
I  crave  thee,  Titus,  TcasIa^  "**'  ' 

Livia's  company  a  little  while. 

TITUS. 

If  she  agrees,  I  do. 

LIVIA. 

My  brother  can  not  say 
My  ears  were  ever  cold  to  his  request. 

Exeunt  TITUS  a::d  PLOT1NA  upper  right. 

AULUS. 
Your  brother  now  hath  on  his  lips 
^3o  Entreaties  which  he  dreads  to  utter. 

He  is  dumb  because  it  is  become  his  duty  to  inform  you 
Of  the  threatening  dangers  hanging  o'er  our  heads. 

LIVIA. 

My  brother  1 

CASCA. 

Aulus  will  explain,  my  dear.  He  sits. 


20 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


HYPOKRATES. 

They  have  decreed  that  Li  via  shall  answer  with  her  life; 
That  you  shall  be  their  instrument, 
That  you  shall  offer  up  your  sister,  now,  a  sacrifice  to  Vesta; 
Failing  which,  she,  jrou  and  all  your  family 

Shall  perish  from  the  earth. 

CASCA. 

Oh  fearful  sentence! 

Greek,  I  tell  thee  thou  art  come  from  Had  s, 

Justice  hath  her  splendid  seat  on  high! 

HYPOKRATES. 
444  And  Justice  Is  offended  by  thy  sister's  deed. 

CASCA. 
The  day  of  human  sacrifice  in  Rome  has  passed. 
The  appointed  fate  for  sinning  restals  hath  for  centuries  been 
ring  burial  not  a  bloody  sacrifice. 

HYPOKRATES. 
Her  crime  is  blacker  than  hath  ever  been  commited  by  a  \<    • 
■  lur  punishment  with  greater  horror  is  decreed. 

"IV  time  to  cho 
You  mu-t  not  bait  the  gods  with  indecision. 
Y    I  must  spring,  with  all  the  panther's  swiftn 
'I'.,  th.ir  work.  Ti  I  must  be  completed 

While  the  buh  yet  shines  above  the  horizon. 
But  know  that  should  this  i  diet  of  the  gods 
Be  manfully  obeyed,  their  favor  will  b  d, 

s;                      d  thej  will  show<  r  whatever  gifts 
Thou  feelst  inclined  to  ask. 
'Tis  time  to  cl ->•.... 

CASCA. 

I  will  ol    y.... 

HYPOKRATES. 
Your  resolution's  made;  you  will  not  stop  for  tears, 

of  Titus'  pow 


21 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

CASCA. 

The  sun  shall  set  upon  the  execution  of  this  fearful  deed; 
The  gods  alone  have  power  to  change  my  will. 

HYPOKRATES. 

I  brought  me  back  from  Heaven,  sir, 
A  oair  of  sacred  birds,  and  they  shall  guide  our  course. 

Exit  HYPOKRATES,  middle  left,  after  having  bam  secretly 
congratulated  by  AUL.VS. 

AULUS. 

It  warms  my  cold,  grey  heart  to  see  again  a  man 

Who  does  not  hesitate,  who  rises  to  the  hour; 

But  let  my  long  experience  teach  thee  now  the  surest  course. 

CASCA. 
470  I  tremble,  Aulus,  at  my  resolution; 

Guide  me  with  thy  steady  hand  into  the  royal  port, 
And  through  this  storm,  and  you  shall  never  say: 

"He  chills  at  my  approach. ' '  #™£v///™  up%df 

I  crave  thee,  1  ltus,  t0  casca. 

Livia's  company  a  little  while. 

TITUS. 
If  she  agrees,  I  do. 

LIVIA. 

My  brother  can  not  say 
My  ears  were  ever  cold  to  his  request. 

Exeunt  TITUS  and  PLOTINA  upper  right. 

AULUS. 
Your  brother  now  hath  on  his  lips 
^3o  Entreaties  which  he  dreads  to  utter. 

He  is  dumb  because  it  is  become  his  duty  to  inform  you 
Of  the  threatening  dangers  hanging  o'er  our  heads. 

LIVIA. 

My  brother  1 

CASCA. 

Aulus  will  explain,  my  dear,  m  Sits. 


H 


Tkc  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


For  did  you  say  farewell  to  Titus  privately, 
He  would  persuade  you  to  remain; 

And  did  you  go  without  disguise  to  Casca's  house, 
lt^  doors  would  fall  before  thy  husband's  wrath. 
'T  is  resolution  wins  th<'  darkest  day, 
541  And  \\  e  three  here  must  sternly  act  as  one. 

LIVIA. 
Yea,  sternly  act,  if  we  haw  courage  for  it, 
Though  1  fear,  I  fear  a  fatal  outcome  in  this  course. 
There  *s  yet  another  risk  you  know  not  of. 
Will  you  betray  a  trust? 
You  an-  mistaken  if  you  think  that  Titus  does  not  fear, 
For  In-  tears  something,  all  that  it  ma\  be  1  do  not  know; 
1  h  saj  -  it  i-  bis  brother's  treacherj  and  violence, 
>u  know,  Domitian  with  impatience  views  the  throne, 
not  known  that  Titus  bath  an  beir. 
551  1  [e  '-  three  months  old. 

The  secret  lias  been  closely  kept, 

M\  brother,  even,  know  s  not  of  his  little  nephew  Numa, 

Who  i>  thought  to  be  some  soldier's  sport. 

You  may  prevail  on  me  to  leave  my  husband, 

But  you'll  never  come  between  this  boj  and  me. 

.'hrm. 

( >h  keep  the  secret  yet! 

AULUS. 
The  good  wife  of  Gaudentius,  famed  for  mother's  love, 

To  ber  will  you  entrust  the  child? 
Then  have  it  brought  while  1  am  sending  out  for  her. 

I  /. /.  utptr  right.    MAH- 
Cl& i 

NARCISSA. 

561  What  Bcbeme  have  pou  on  foot? 

What  cunning  plot  hath  that  old  reprobate  hatched  out? 

Be  sure  that  he  will  prove  your  friend, 

And  such  a  friend  the  very  warmth  of  bis  affection 

Will  suffice  for  your  undoing; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIU&        * 

Such  a  friend  as  you  have  been  to  me. 

CASCA. 

Narcissa,  you  misjudge  me, 

It  's  not  wise  to  say  a  man  's  your  enemy  until  he  's  dead. 

NARCISSA. 
570  And  then  it  matters  not. 

CASCA. 

Believe  me.  child, 
Though  I  am  tardy,  I  will  act  the  better  part 

NARCISSA. 

Before  you  're  dead. 

But  I  will  see  that  Livia  is  protected 

From  this  aulic  craft,  as  far  as  I  have  power. 

When  she  becomes  a  Christian  so  will  i. 

CASCA. 

Narcissa,  dear,  the  situation  's  delicate,  the  danger  great. 

NARCISSA. 

Wherever  she  is  taken  I  will  go, 
So  waste  thee  no  more  words. 

CASCA. 

580  I  may  forbid. 

NARCISSA. 

You  threaten  me! 

CASCA. 

I  beg  your  pardon,  sweet! 

So  tender  is  the  peril  that  I  know  not  what  I  say. 

Believe  me,  dear,  your  presence  would  not 

Further  Livia's  interests  while  you  might  destroy  us  all. 

Remain  behind  and  claim  from  me  whatever  favor  I  can  grant. 

NARCISSA. 

Then  promise  me  that  Livia  from  these  affairs 

Shall  finally  emerge  unharmed. 


*  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

CASCA. 

The  pledge  is  made.  She  comes!  Away  with  me, 
For  from  this  moment  you  must  act  a  minor  part. 

VIA.  utter  right,  cart 
infa.it.  IJ  ..•:.!  at  LIVIA'S  direction  remains  at 

the  rear,  keeping  a  cbs*  aSfc'n. 

LIVIA. 

My  gentle  babe,  yoa  smile  on  me  in  all  my  misery. 
591  You  could  not  side  if  I  were  doing  wrong; 

You  could  not  smile  with  danger  threatening, 

z-i        u  1  t  G  AC  DEXTIUS  enters  low- 

Could  you  now,  my  love  t  „ right. 

GAUDENTIUS. 

I  've  brought  the  costume  which  you  are  to  wear. 

LIVIA. 

Are  you  a  Christian,  sir? 

GAUDENTIUS. 

I  try  to  be. 

LIVIA. 

Have  you  no  fear  in  harboring  me,  of  Titus  wrath? 

GAUDENTIUS. 

I  am  persuaded,  Aulus  hath  said,  you  have  espoused  our  faith; 
That  you  desire  to  make  your  home  among  the  Christians; 

Lowly  though  we  be,  I  trust  that  none  of  us 
Shall  >-  ererved  from  duty's  path  by  Caesar's  frown. 

LIVIA. 
603  My  fears  gr  before  so  brave  a  man. 

GAUDENTIUS. 

And  may  your  faith  increase.  ^RMdMTBdt  !°lLer 

MARTHA. 
You've  sent  for  me? 

GAUDENTIUS. 

The  Empress  Livia  hath  here  a  child, 
An  infant  which,  for  weighty  reasons,  must  remain  unknown. 
Th  •  Spirit  hath  descended  on  her  head 


of  TITUS  FLAVTUS. 

And  she  desires  to  leave  the  court, 
610  And  be  with  us  awhile. 

m    1  ~„  i.U*  ~Ui1A     LIVIA  lasses  the  child and gives 

Take  you  the  child.  ,-,  to  martha. 
My  wife  shall  not  be  senseless  of  the  honor, 
Nor  negkctf ul  of  the  trust. 

LIVIA. 

Where  shall  I  see  him  next? 

GAUDENTIUS. 

At  Pliny's  house. 

LIVIA. 

At  Pliny's  house! 

GAUDENTIUS. 

The  noble  Pliny  hath  been  generous  enough 
To  set  apart  for  me  this  day  some  chambers  in  house, 
That  of  my  architectural  skill  he  may 
620  With  more  minuteness  learn; 

And  there  in  secrecy  you  may  remain. 

LIVIA. 

Oh  Martha!  Martha!  He  's  my  life! 

MARTHA. 

And  he  shall  be  as  dear  to  me  as  any  of  my  own. 

Exit  MARTHA,  lower  right,  with  the  child. 

GAUDENTIUS. 

And  when  you  call  me  I  '11  be  waiting  here. 

Exit  GA  UDENTIUS.  lower  right. 

LIVIA. 

Oh  heavy  heart,  I  feel  thee  faltering  in  thy  throb; 
I  feel  the  darkness  stealing  on, 
627  But  in  the  twilight  I  must  smile 

And  seem  to  be  the  mirror  of  the  noonday  sun. 

Enter  PL.OTINA  and  TITUS,  upper  right. 

TITUS. 

A  iOtina  j/f  wishes  it  to  appear  that  she  has  delayed  their  return. 


:8 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


PLOTINA. 

Titus!  Lay  the  blame  right  there,  MEM? 
For  I  will  shoulder  none  of  it  as  I  am  not  responsible 
p.  >r  your  delay.    I  dragged  him  back. 

L1V1A. 

633  I  thought  as  much.   A  sorry  lover,  he .  f££rH"w*1 '" 

TITUS. 

Your  moods  would  render  any  lover  so. 

LIVIA. 
A  wit! 

PLOTINA. 

A  charming  wit! 

LIVIA. 
A  brilliant  wit! 

PLOTINA. 

He  hath  good  points. 

LIVIA. 
A  few. 

TITUS. 
How  much  is  bid  for  me? 

PLOTINA. 

I  'd  much  prefer  a  slave  from  Grc< 

LIVIA. 

Or  even  Africa. 

PLOTINA. 

1  am  afraid  he  is  not  sound. 

LIVIA. 
644  That 's  all  he  is. 

PLOTINA. 
Oh  then  he  'a  worth,  say,  ninety  nine  sestertii. 

LIVIA. 

I  '11  bin  a  hundred  more. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        « 

TITUS. 

A  good  sized  hog  would  not  be  sold  for  that. 

PLOTINA. 

But  you  're  a  runt. 

LIVIA. 

649  Though  stockily  built. 

PLOTINA. 

Yes!  Yes!  But  clumsy;  still  I'll  bid  a  thousand  more. 

LIVIA. 

Then  I  will  say  eleven  thousand. 

PLOTINA. 

I  '11  say  twenty  four. 

TITUS. 

The  market  price  of  runts  is  mending  rapidly. 

LIVIA. 

When  once  my  mind  is  set,  upon  a  trifle, 

No  one  lives  to  thwart  my  mood; 

I  '11  bid  a  hundred  thousand  times  your  price. 

PLOTINA. 

The  auction  's  not  done  yet;  I  '11  go  to  seek  more  capital. 

Exeunt  PLOTINA  and  LUCIA,  upper  right.  LIVIA  embraces 
TITUS. 

LIVIA. 

This  don't  torment  you,  Titus? 

TITUS. 

Ah  my  love,  I  would  be  sold  for  the  smallest  part 

Of  one  sestertius  and  think  that  no  man  ever  brought 

So  high  a  price  if  you  did  make  the  purchase  for  yourself. 

LIVIA. 

You  love  me  Titus? 

TITUS. 

663  Love  you-— 

LIVIA. 

Ah  I  know  you  do, 


3o  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY  ] 

But  wiH  you  always  love  me  so? 
Perchance  should  I  at  some  ill-fated  time  persuade  myself 

To  find  in  other  occupations  more  engaging  pleasures 

Than  thy  love  affords;  should  I  from  fear  or  duty  go  away; 

Will  then  your  love  remain  as  firm  as  now, 

670  And  will  our  keen-edged  happiness  endure 

The  rasp  of  time;  the  grit  of  jealous  doubt? 

TITUS. 

When  the  sun  his  orbit  leaves, 

When  day  doth  follow  night  no  more, 

And  Night  doth  reign  supreme; 

Our  love  will  then  burn  low. 

When  all  the  winds,  the  gentle  winds,  the  sturdy  winds, 

The  fierce  rude  winds,  have  ceased  to  blow, 

The  embers  of  our  love  will  still  be  bright; 

But  when  a  silence  vast  reigns  o'er  the  earth 

680  And  every  sound  is  dead, 

And  when  at  last  the  waves  die  down 
And  the  restless  sea  is  stilled,  then  dear, 
The  last  light  of  our  love  will  sink  away. 

KLABO  enters,  upper  right. 

KLABO. 

Your  father,  sir,  upon  a  point  of  state, 
Desires  your  counsel  ere  he  comes  to  dine.  §$/r%$£0 

LIVIA. 

I  knew  you  loved  me  not,  you  prove  it,  quite, 

By  setting  bounds  to  the  illimitable  mood. 

What  hath  the  sun  to  do  with  love? 

In  twilight  are  we  colder  than  at  noon?  • 

The    .  inds,  do  we  need  them  to  fan  our  thoughts? 

And  silence,  when  are  we  not  envious  of  every  sound 

692  That  blurs  our  lightest  whisper? 

Whil      the  waves,  1  've  known  thee  long, 

But  now  1  first  have  learned 

The  distant  sea  tiath  aught  to  do  with  our  sweet  1  )ve, 

Much  lorous  course. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

No!  Titus,  no!  Think  not  our  love  shall  ever  feel 

The  touch  of  hideous  death; 

In  some  far  happier  place 

The  flame  of  our  immortal  passion,  bright  and  clear, 

701  Shall  always  and  forever  burn.  They  embrace. 

Have  faith,  my  husband,  in  my  love, 

And  in  the  darkest  hour  remember 

That  my  final  thought  shall  always  be  for  you. 

TITUS. 

The  darkest  hour  shall  be 
"When  I  have  lost  one  thought  of  thine. 

LIVIA. 

Would  you  deny  me  pleasure  in  the  child? 

TITUS. 

Your  thoughts  for  him  are  thoughts  for  me. 

Ah  let  us  go  and  see  him  now. 

LIVIA. 

No!  No!  Thou  canst  not  see  him  now! 

TITUS. 

7»  And  why? 

LIVIA. 

Thy  father  waits  for  thee. 

TITUS. 

He  '11  pardon  the  delay. 

LIVIA. 

But  Numa  is  asleep. 

TITUS. 

I  've  looked  at  him  in  sleep  before. 

LIVIA. 

But  he  is  nervous ,  fretful, 
And  we  must  not  run  the  risk  of  waking  him. 

TITUS. 

Well!   Well!  I  think  a  father  cares  a  little  for  z  cVtd. 


Tic  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

But  win  you  always  love  me  so? 
reliance  should  I  at  some  ill-fated  time  persuade  myself 
Po  find  in  other  occupations  more  engaging  pleasures 
an  thy  love  affords;  should  I  from  fear  or  duty  go  away; 
Will  then  your  love  remain  as  firm  as  now, 
And  will  our  keen-edged  happiness  endure 
The  rasp  of  time;  the  grit  of  jealous  doubt? 

TITUS. 

When  the  sun  his  orbit  leaves, 

When  day  doth  follow  night  no  more, 

And  Night  doth  reign  supreme; 

Our  love  will  then  burn  low. 

hen  all  the  winds,  the  gentle  winds,  the  sturdy  winds, 

The  fierce  rude  winds,  have  ceased  to  blow, 

The  embers  of  our  love  will  still  be  bright; 

But  when  a  silence  vast  reigns  o'er  the  earth 

And  every  sound  is  dead, 

And  when  at  last  the  waves  die  down 

And  the  restless  sea  is  stilled,  then  dear, 

The  last  light  of  our  love  will  sink  away. 

KLABO  enters,  upper  riglit. 

KLABO. 

Your  father,  sir,  upon  a  point  of  state, 
Desires  your  counsel  ere  he  comes  to  dine,  fj^r^fiu0' 

LIVIA. 

I  knew  you  loved  me  not,  you  prove  it,  quite, 

By  setting  bounds  to  the  illimitable  mood. 

What  hath  the  sun  to  do  with  love? 

In  twilight  are  we  colder  than  at  noon? 

The  winds,  do  we  need  them  to  fan  our  thoughts? 

And  silence,  when  are  we  not  envious  of  every  sound 


of  TITUS  FLAV1US. 

No!  Titus,  no!  Think  not  our  love  shall  ever 
The  touch  of  hideous  death; 
In  some  far  happier  place 
The  flame  of  our  immortal  passion,  bright  and 
701  Shall  always  and  forever  burn.  They  en 

Have  faith,  my  husband,  in  my  love, 
And  in  the  darkest  hour  remember 
That  my  final  thought  shall  always  be  for  y< 

TITUS. 

The  darkest  hour  shall  be 
When  I  have  lost  one  thought  of  thine. 

LIVIA. 

Would  you  deny  me  pleasure  in  the  child? 

TITUS. 

Your  thoughts  for  him  are  thoughts  for  m 
Ah  let  us  go  and  see  him  no '.v. 

LIVIA. 

No!  No!  Thou  canst  not  see  him  now! 


TITUS. 

7" 

LIVIA. 

And 

Thy  father  waits  for 

thee. 
TITUS. 

He 

'11  pardon 

thee 

LIVIA. 

But  Numa  is  asleep. 

TITUS. 

I 

've  looked  at  him  in 

sleep 

LIVIA. 

But  he  \ 

s  nervous , 

fretful, 

3.  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

LIVIA. 
You  hurt  me  Titus;  love,  you  do.  ffiff^gff£gfc  r%5$ 

SEXE.YJCE  appears  on  the  left,  from  behind  the  stdpSLlt .  hav- 
ing entered  through  an  opening  invisible  to  the  audience. 

7*0  Farewell,  my  love!  Farewell,  my  love! 

Was  ever  prospect  fair  so  clouded  over, 

Changed  so  in  a  moment,  thus, 

To  gloomy  night  and  blinding  mist? 

BERENICE. 

Unfaithful  Titus!  Still  another  victim  to  thy  cold  caprice. 

Exit  LJV/A,  middle  right.     Enter  CASCA,  lower  left. 

CASCA. 
'Tis  Berenice!  How  have  vou  returned  to  Rome? 

She  placet  her  right  htind  across  her  brow  and  quickly  rem 

in  a  peculiar  and  noticeable    though  natural  manner.   CASCA 

makes  a  similar  motion 

BERENICE. 

Then  you  are  in  the  plot. 

CASCA. 

How  came  you  to  this  room? 

BERENICE. 
I  know  these  passageways  as  well  as  thou  the  streets  of  Rome. 

CASCA. 

729        You  run  grave  risks  and  have  not  much  to  gain. 

BERENICE. 

I  risk  no  more  than  you,  I  gain  no  less. 

But  I'd  have  thought  thee  satisfied  to  have  the  Flavians  stay,; 

Can  Aulus  make  a  better  emperor,  for  you,  than  onedf  them*? 

With  an  fftrt  CASCA  conceoHs  his  .uprise  at  this  revelation  of 
tut  :  ■  AVLUS. 

CASCA. 

Do  you  expect  to  be  his  queen? 

BERENICE. 
When  Aulus  sits  upon  the  throne,  I  sit  upon  his  knee. 

CASCA. 

You  care  but  little  for  the  forms  of  dignity. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        « 

BERENICE. 
736  An  empress  is  above  reproach. 

CASCA. 

To  be  his  empress  came  you  here? 

BERENICE. 

He  's  rather  old. 

CASCA. 

Then  make  your  best  speed  to  Cilicia's  bounds  again; 

I  kill  the  hope,  for  like  a  schoolboy  I  've  been  tricked, 

And  like  a  schoolboy  I  will  trick  again. 

Until  this  moment  I  have  thought  that  I  had  been  selected 

As  emperor  to  be.    Conspire  no  more! 

BERENICE. 

744  Tell  Titus  will  you !  Wait ! 

Each  one  of  us  is  for  himself; 
Though  once  I  thought  a  bit  of  thee. 

CASCA. 

A  thought  it  did  remain. 

BERENICE. 

It  might  come  back; 
Would  you  not  make  a  better  emperor  than  Aulus,  man! 

CASCA. 

He  said  as  much. 

BERENICE. 

You  'd  make  a  finer  figure  on  the  throne. 

CASCA. 

And  have  a  fatter  knee. 

BERENICE. 

753  A  knee 's  a  knee. 

I  thought  a  great  deal  of  you  once. 

CASCA. 
Plot  on. 


M 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


BERENICE. 

It'  Titus  wants  me  bade, 
The  first  conspirator  who  takes  a  step 
Shall  stumble  to  the  ground;  if  not  below. 
759  If  Titus  still  remains  a  rock, 

We  '11  make  old  Aulus  emperor  to  gratify  bis  pride; 
A  day  of  haughtiness  shall  do  for  him,  a  single  day. 

CASCA. 

And  VI  hen  we  kill  him  for  his  crim<    . 
We  '11  be  applauded  by  the  crowd.  This  plan  i   ust  be  the  one. 

BERENICE. 
Though  not  if  Titus  takes  me  back. 

CASCA. 
7^5  You  know  that  he  'a  a  married  man. 

BERENICE. 

His  wife! 

CASCA. 
My  sister. 

BERENICE. 
You  've  no  sister  out  of  childhood. 

CASCA. 
Livia,  the  vestal. 

BERENICE. 

rried,  do  yuu  say,  and  secret'.)? 
He  "11  tire  of  her. 

CASCA. 
771  In  time. 

BERENIC" 

He  must!  Toda) ! 
Attack  her  character. 

CASCA. 

My  sister! 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 


35 


BERENICE. 
Dost  thou  think  that  she  will  place 
777  The  robes  of  state  on  you, 

And  see  her  husband  unprotected,  and  herself  despised? 

CASCA. 

She  dies  today  ere  sunset.  Klabo!  if"  aMd  I"'//'  ' 

Xa\A  A  BERENICE  conceals  herself  on   the  left 
iilUL".    Enter  KLABO.,  upper  right. 

Did  you  allow  Eypokrates  to  enter  from  the  street 

When  he  came  in? 

I  know  that  he  and  Aulus  had  been  talking 

Long  together  just  before  he  came  to  me. 

I  only  wish  you  to  confirm  my  knowledge  of  the  fact. 

ITAEO. 

Your  confirmation,  sir,  must  come  from  other  sources, 
For  Hypokrates  had  not  been  seen  by  Aulus  when  I  let  him  in 

CASCA. 
Ask  Tacitus  to  presently  come  here;  and  Varro  too. 

Exit  KLABO.  upper  right.     BERENICE  reappears. 

I  am  commanded  by  the  greater  powers  to  offer  Livia  a  sacrifice, 
790  The  message  coming  through  Hypokrates; 

I  feared  that  Aulus  might  have  plotted  that. 

BERENICE. 
He  would  not  dare,  the  sacrilege  would  be  too  great. 

CASCA. 

He  has  arranged  a  guard  for  her! 
He  thinks  to  cheat  the  gods,  to  steal  her  from  my  vengeance  for 
His  hateful  purposes .  I,  too,  will  have  a  body  of  retainers  ready 

When  she  leaves  the  palace  gate. 

BERENICE. 
She  is  to  leave? 

CASCA. 

Pretending  to  become  a  Christian, 
799  So  that  Titus'  wrath  may  fall  on  them, 

Thus  giving  me  an  opportunity  to  execute  the  deed. 


*  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

BERENICE. 
To  put  the  blame  upon  the  Christians,  ah! 
Why,  let  it  fall  upon  some  enemy  of  yours; 
803  Let  Titus  think  she  goes  to  him ; 

And  then  he  wHi  not  grieve  and  mope  for  her. 

CASCA. 

On  Pliny's  head,  for  he  opposes  us. 

BERENICE. 
She  '11  go? 

CASCA. 
We  *ve  made  her  fear  the  mob. 

BERENICE. 

She  's  wry  apt  to  turn  and  face  its  violence, 

If  she  hath  metal  in  her  like  your  own. 

Stav!  Haw  her  think  that  I  am  here  at  Titus'  wish, 

That  he,  unfaithful  t<>  his  vows,  hath  called  me  back  again. 

CASCA. 

811  If  she  doth  falter,  it  shail  then  be  done. 

BERENICE. 
A  loving  woman  does  not  lightly  Leave  her  husband's  house. 

CASCA. 

We  '11  have  some  proof;  write  on  this  plate: 

"You  are  commanded,  Caeca  Lentullus. 

To  execute  your  aster  with  thelites  prescribed  by  fate." 

BERENICE. 
And  forge  the  name  of  Titus  Flavius. 

CASCA. 
No!  We  11  let  him  sign  it  for  himself, 

819  And  then  I  think  that  she  a  ill  go. 

rlefl.   £■«.  UJLUUS,   upper 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

Who  's  the  old  woman,  th 

CASCA. 

Your  mother,  it  is  said. 


37 


of  TITUS  FLAVRJS. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
Then  we  are  brothers,  sire. 

CASCA. 

823  The  honor's  yours. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
I  fear  your  generosity  will  spoil  your  temper,  sire. 

TRAXQUU.l.IUS  seats  himself  at  the  right,   on  the    bundle 
which  (TA  UDBNTIUS  has  left. 

CASCA. 

I  've  not  that  quality. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

Temper,  sire;  or  generosity?  Are  both  entirely  gone? 
Did  that  old  woman  take  a  bundle  off? 

CASCA. 

Why  so? 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

I  have  been  sent  to  get  a  bundle  here ;  I  see  it  not. 

CASCA. 

No? 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

No? 

CASCA. 

No. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

No! 

CASCA. 

No! 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

No! 

CASCA. 

No! 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

oh!    f&tismr* 

CASCA. 

Oh! 


38  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

Exit  TRANQUILLIUS and mter  I.IVIA,  upper  right. 

LIVIA. 
,(>39    I  will  not  go!  Send  quickly,  bring  Gaudentius  back, 
He  took  a  treasure  from  me.   Send!  Oh!  Send,  for  him! 

CASCA  refuses. 

'T  was  wrong  to  think  of  g<  >ing  and  I  happily  see  again 
The  light  of  reason  ere  it  is  too  late. 

CASCA. 
You  've  lx  uaded;  you  hav< 

LIVIA. 
My  heart  alone  hath  been  my  counselor. 

CASCA. 
Y<>ur  judgement,  what  of  that? 

LIVIA. 
84^         I  have  no  judgement  and  I  want  no  judg  iment 
Which  will  coldly  come  between  my  love  and  1 

CASCA. 
Rush  on  to  your  dee  t  nretion  f<  >r  the  weak  indulgence  of  an  hour. 

LIVIA. 

I  need  advice;  alone  I  can  not  know  w  I  est, 

And  w  hether  I  should  disregard  the  promptings  of  my  heart 

I  '11  not  be  satisfied  to  go  without  advice; 

H  bo  SOl  •  judge,  a  man  unbiassed, 
Y\  hy  not  Trajan,  Pliny,  Juvenal  or  Tacitus/ 

CASCA. 

Say  Juvenal,  as  he  's  the  oldest  of  the  lot. 

LIVIA. 
855  I  '11  to  hi  .-night,  bmu  uvia,  upj*r  aft. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

The  fecond  folylo^uic  of  Cafca  Lentullus. 

I  stand  upon  the  parting-  ways; 

I  stand  between  the  roads  to  happiness  and  fame; 

I  stand  between  inaction  and  the  mastery 

Of  circumstance;  between  this  fearful  impulse 

And  the  peaceful  conduct  of  the  full,  unsullied  heart. 

With  honor  may  I  save  the  day  for  Titus, 

For  I  \e  gone  to  lengths  no  further 

Than  are  warranted  in  seeking  out  conspiracy; 

With  vigor  I  may  seize  the  throne, 

And  occupy  that  splendid  summit 

Which  inspires  the  universe  with  envy  and  alarm. 

I  hesitate  to  catch  the  challenge  up 

By  Fate  thrown  flaunting  down; 

I  cringe,  a  creature  of  her  will,  a  thing  of  mere  caprice. 

O  mocking  Fate!  Come  try  thy  wrath  on  me, 

Bring  forth  thy  proofs,  condemn  me  to  inaction 

If  thou  canst;  come  show  me  who  is  master, 

Who  shall  rule  the  great  ambition  coursing  in  my  veins' 

Come  to  the  conflict  armed  in  all  thy  might, 

For  thou  hast  now  an  adversary  lit  to  try  thy  skill. 

Enter  NARCISSA,  lower  left.  The  approach  of  TITUS  cause, 
htt  tc  retire  -without  discevcring herself  to  CASi-A.  Her  presence 
is  a  pietnoiution. 


4° 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


Enter  TITUS,  upper  right. 

876  I  seek  you,  sir!  I  have  the  worst  of  news. 

TITUS. 

A  little  time  may  wear  it  out. 

CASCA. 

Doth  time  wear  out  illicit  love? 
Doth  time  abate  conspiracy? 

TITUS. 

You  broach  most  serious  subjects,  Casca. 

CASCA. 

Seriously  must  they  be  met. 

TITUS. 

Conspiracies  by  scores  are  laid  but  few  are  ever  hatched. 

CASCA. 

Intrigues  by  scores  are  carried  on,  and  guilt  and  acquiescence 

Flourish  on  the  food  of  love  but  few  are  ever  barred 

Against  the  judgement  seat  of  public  scorn. 

TITUS. 

Should  this  touch  me? 

CASCA. 

Thy  father's  throne  is  threatened  by  conspiracy; 

Old  Aulus  leads  the  malcontents; 

Thy  house  is  robbed  already  of  its  joy, 

For  Pliny,  graceful,  polished  Pliny,  loves  the  empress; 

Loves  her  with  a  passion  long  concealed  but  not  denied. 

TITUS. 


Her  brother! 


CASCA. 

No  one  else  hath  dared. 


TITUS. 

894  Proofs!  Proofs!  From  even  thee! 

CASCA. 

Conceal  thy  motive;  read  the  words  of  Pliny's  mouth. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

Enter  TACITUS,  upper  right. 

I  've  tried  in  vain  to  recollect  that  pretty  speech  of  Pliny's; 
Which  Titus  hath  desired  to  hear.   Give  him  the  lines, 

TACITUS. 

I  would  not  have  an  adept  like  the  future  emperor 
899  Compare  these  straggling  dots  of  mine 

With  his  perfection  in  the  art. 

TITUS. 

The  speech ! 

TACITUS. 

He  takes  the  tablet  from  his  breast  and  reads. 

"Oh!  Casca,  look!   Oh,  look  where  Livia  comes! 

The  charm  of  dignity  in  every  movement  lies, 

She  hath  the  fascination  of  immortal  loveliness. 

How  like  a  gentle  breath  she  moves  along  the  corridor. 

How  like  a  dream  her  presence  makes 

The  cold  and  gloomy  hallways  of  this  palace  seem. 

908  She,  Casca,  is  thy  sister- ' '  B»  stops. 

TITUS. 

Read  on ! 

TACITUS. 

The  rest  is  of  but  little  moment,  sir. 

TITUS. 

Read  on ! 

TACITUS. 

I  've  reached  a  part  I  do  not  care  to  read. 

TITUS. 

You  've  reached  a  part  I  wish  to  hear. 

TACITUS. 

I  'd  break  a  confidence  by  reading  further,  sir; 
The  matter  does  not  signify  the  least. 

TITUS. 

Read  on ! 

TACITUS. 

9*7  I  would  regret  to  disobey  thy  last  command. 


<>  Tkc  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

CASCA. 

No  doubt  it  is  a  trivial  thing  that  Tacitus  conceals; 
Perhaps  within  an  hour  he  might  be  glad  to  read  the  rest. 

TITUS. 

920  I  would  not  run  the  risk  of  losing  what  is  left. 

TACITUS. 

I  '11  leave  the  tablet  here  upon  the  ledge. 

CASCA. 

To  clinch  the  truth  with  evidence  let  Titus  sign  the  plate. 

TITUS.  ] 

Indeed  my  confidence  in  you  doth  not  need  that. 

TACITUS. 

But  certain  knowledge  is  a  more  substantial  crown 
For  conndence  than  any  halo  of  belief,  however  bright. 

TITUS. 

926  Mine,  too,  shall  then  be  crowned. 

TITUS  throws  his  robe  over  the  written  portion  of  the  (ablet  so 
that  TACITUS  may  be  sure  that  he  does  not  read  anj  of  it  while 
signing. 

CASCA. 

Another  tablet  for  your  signature. 

TACITUS  places  his  tablet  on  a  ledge,  down  right,  and  goes  out. 
TITUS  signs  CASCA' S  tablet:   the  order  for  LI  V 1 A' S  death. 

What  think  you  now,  is  't  proof  enough, 
Or  will  yon  have  some  more? 

TITUS. 

Go  on? 

CASCA. 

They  have  arranged  for  her  to  leave  the  palace  in  an  hour. 

TITUS. 

032  I  think  she  may,  but  under  guard. 

CASCA. 

Control  thyself!  I  '11  have  my  spies  see  where  she  goes, 

And  take  her  into  custody 

When  she  has  reached  the  meeting  place. 


of  TITUS  FLAV1US. 

936  Let  not  this  private  grief,  though, 

Blind  you  to  the  danger  of  the  forming  plot, 
For  this  is  only  Pliny's  share;  the  throne  is  envied,  too. 

TITUS. 

Oh !  What  care  I  for  that  if  she  is  gone? 

CASCA. 

It  gives  you  power  to  punish  her. 

TITUS. 
I  will  inform  my  father  of  the  danger;  he 
Can  cope  with  that.   Instruct  the  spies. 

Exit  TITUS,  upper  right.     Enter  VARRO,  lower  right. 

CASCA. 

The  empress  leaves  the  palace  gate  within  an  hour. 
She  wears  the  Christian  garb. 
Remove  her  to  the  house  of  Marius  Germanicus 
34  5  Despite  whatever  opposition  you  may  meet. 

By  this  way :  Livia  comes ! 

Exit  VARRO,  lower  right.    Enter  LIVIA  and  J  U  VENAL,   up- 
per  left. 

LIVIA. 

Now  Casca,  thou  art  shown  at  fault, 

For  Juvenal,  in  his  wisdom,  hath  confirmed  my  fears. 

CASCA. 

You  think  it  best  for  her  to  stay? 

JUVENAL. 
To  me  there  seems  no  need  for  all  this  haste. 

CASCA. 

Have  you  determined  now  to  break  your  word  with  us? 

LIVIA. 

95  ]  I  have  decided  not  to  go. 

CASCA. 

And  she  hath  told  thee  all  the  reasons  for  the  plan? 

JUVENAL. 
I  trust  my  reputation  hath  not  yet  been  sullied 


44 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


By  a  judgement  rashly  given, 

Though  there  may  be  facts  in  this  which  we  have  yet  to  learn. 

CASCA. 
There  are!  Once  more,  I  ask  you,  will  you  go? 

LIVIA. 
959  I  have  determined  not  to  go. 

CASCA. 

Then  stay  and  meet  your  death! 

For  since  you  pierce  my  subterfuge,  the  truth  must  be  revealed; 

The  Jewess  hath  returned  and  Titus  loves  her  still, 

A  fatal  order  hath  been  signed. 

And  I  must  be  your  executioner. 

JUVENAL. 

Unnatural  man! 

CASCA. 

Things  willed  by  Caesar  must  be  done. 
The  awful  cost  of  disobedience  would  be  in  vain; 
Go  then,  before  the  order  reaches  me. 

JUVENAL. 
969  You  know? 

CASCA. 

1  saw  her  write  the  tablet,  sir! 
Their  plot  i>  this:  To  the  feast  shecomes, 

And  all  1  if  them  will  laugh  her  off; 

She  pre-eiitl\  return-,  and  some  laugh  not; 

A  n  r  comes  in  with  news  of  rising  discontent 

Against  the  virgin  hidden  here,  thyself! 

The  Jewess  Stands  there  waiting  and  a  place  i-  made  for  her. 

hit  ■  ■ 

LIVIA. 
977  I  '11  go  ere  she  returns. 

CASCA. 
Put  on  the  garb;  collect  thy  trinkets  for  the  time  is  short. 

.  /JIJ.I,  uffrr  n  '  tit i  afar/. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        « 

JUVENAL. 

Well  Monides?  Yes!  Yes!  I  sent  for  you. 
We  have  arranged  a  pleasantry 
With  one  of  Rome's  voracious  eaters; 
982  When  I  send  for  you  a  little  while  from  now, 

Bring  in  what  game  you've  shot,  upon  a  hunt  in  which 

'Twill  he  supposed  you'll  he  engaged. 

Arrange  it  so  that  you  shall  bring  no  game  with  you 

Except  a  crow.   Shoot  me  a  crow  and  bring  it  back. 

Exit  MOA'IDES,  lower  left.    Enter  PLINY  and  APICIUS  uf- 

fer  light,  where  all  the  banqueters  presently  enter  as  occasion 
die  tales. 

PLINY. 

Apicius,  I  am  told,  that  in  consideration  of  your  noted  appetite, 

The  emperor  hath  said  you  shall  be  served  a  double  course. 

APICIUS. 
A  double  course!  A  double  course! 
Thou  mockst  my  hunger,  Pliny,  with  such  news. 
991  For  ten  long  years  have  I  intrigued 

With  Aulus,  Klabo,  even  Julia  and  Plotina, 

That  Vespasian  might  relax  his  discipline 

And  give  me  more  to  eat  when  I'm  his  guest. 

Today,  they  said  he  had  relented; 
Now  you  say  he  has  decreed  a  double  portion ! 

JUVENAL. 
While  you  wanted  double  that. 

APICIUS. 
My  most  self-sacrificing  suit  was  for 
999  A  full  quadruple  course  at  least. 

Expecting  that,  I  have  not  swallowed  food  today, 
For  two  long  hours,  and  now  you  say  a  double  course! 

JUVENAL. 

Poor,  famine  stricken  wretch,  casca  rises. 

APICIUS. 

Yes!  Yes!  't  'as  been  two  hours,  and  then  I  only  ate 

A  dozen  Martian  apples  and  a  little  quart  of  Massic  wine; 


*  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

PLINY. 

Nay!  It  is  the  Christians  and  the  Jews,  and  not  the  Jews  alone. 
Who  break  the  peace. 

JULIA. 
But  how  are  they  opposed? 

JUVENAL 
•°49        The  matter,  I  am  told,  is  a  culinary  difference, 

TIk-  Christians  liking  their  fruit  whole, 
The  Jews  preferring  theirs,  particularly  apples,  nicely  peeled. 

APICIUS. 
Let  us  discuss  the  meal  and  not  the  Jews;  the  dice! 

nttrt  voitk    j  cuf  oj  diet  for  each  tabic. 
The  guests  time  in  rotation,  btginm'Hgon  the  lejt. 

TITUS. 

Christianity  's  a  baleful  superstition, 

Newlj  Bpread  from  Palestine. 

DOMITIAN. 
: ^55  And  it  deserves  a  careful  scrutiny; 

'T  i-  -aid  the  Christians  \\  ith  their  gods 
:i>  to  other  people  theirs.   We'll  watch  tliem  close. 

JUVENAL. 

Thej  are  \dur  enemies  indi  i  d, 

For  Christian  is  as  ] r  in  rlrj  me-  .1-  one  of  t  hem  in  goods, 

While  Jew   will  rhyme  with  screw  and  shoe  and  -1'    ■-  and  lew. 

And  you  cm  hew  your  poem  through 

And  glue  your  name  to  fa nir, 
With  forty  rhymes  for  Jew  still  left  in  view. 

APICIUS. 
I  think  that  every  man  should  have  hi-  individual  god. 

JUVENAL. 

And  I  maintain  that  even  god  should  have  his  individual  man. 

That  is,  if  men  are  found,  enough  to  go  around. 

DOMITIAN. 

It  seems  to  me  that  every  foo!  should  have  hi<  individual  cage. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIU& 


49 


JUVENAL. 

And  each  and  every  poet  grand  should  have  his  individual  pen. 
1069       I 've  won  the  throw! 

APICIUS. 

And  luck  has  favored  me; 
Now,  Juvenal,  throw;  and  see  who  '11  be  the  master  of  the  feast! 

JUVENAL. 

Sweet  Venus  is  my  throw. 

APICIUS. 

And  aces,  mine.     ffS£^* 

VESPASIAN. 
Now,  Juvenal,  propose  the  order  of  the  meal. 

JUVENAL. 

1075  Bring  on  the  light  and  airy  Setine  wine. 

APICIUS. 
But  first  the  pumice  stone  to  whet  our  throats, 
And  then  Falernian  wine ;  this  Setine  kind  is  sweetened  oil, 
The  other  's  rich  and  red. 

JUVENAL. 

Sour  blood,  gross  appetite! 

APICIUS. 

This  chicken-livered  cynic  has  a  cobweb  throat. 

JUVENAL. 

With  a  velvet  palate. 

APICIUS. 

And  a  thimble-sized  interior. 

JUVENAL. 
1083  But  I  thank  the  gods  that  my  exterior 

Hath  never  yet  got  in  my  way. 

APICIUS. 

'Tis  a  gastronomic  honor,  sir 


so  Tht  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

It  shows  I  always  know  what  good  food  is. 

JUVENAL. 
And  always  shows  you  never  know  when  you  have  had  enough. 

APICIUS. 

Its  capacity  's  its  boast  and  pride. 

VESPASIAN. 
1089  He  can  not  know  when  he  has  had  enough, 

He  lies  unconscious  then. 

APICIUS. 
Its  capacity  's  its  boast  and  pride. 

JUVENAL. 
Ho!   ho!   How  much  say,  doth  it  hold? 

APICIUS. 
I m measurable  quantities. 

JUVENAL. 

How  much? 

APICIUS. 
'°95  How  much,  say  you,  it  will  refuse  to  hold? 

JUVENAL. 

I  have  an  honest  archer,  Monides,  new  on  a  hunt; 

I'll  wager  you  that  he  brings  with  him  back 

Mon  game  than  yon  can  stomach  in  a  week. 

APICIUS. 
I  gladly  take  your  bet;  of  what  amount? 

JUVENAL 
A  thousand  iku  Bestertii. 

APICIUS. 

A  thousand—new  sestertii. 

VESPASIAN. 
110i  Let  's  drink  to  the  choice  of  the  gods. 

T^ey  drink,  the  nine  having  been  brought  by  KLABO.   VESl'ASI- 
Afi   lets  lis  -.line  spout  from  the  small  end  of  his  horn  l, 
the  air  into  his  mouth  ;/.  alone,  follows  his  <•■ 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        5 

Come,  Tacitus,  to  start  the  feast, 

Bring-  on  your  promised  dish 

And  see  how  it  will  turn  our  tongues  against  the  meal. 

TACITUS  motions  to  KLABO.  mho  brings  in  a  veiled  urn. put- 
ting it  on  the  left  tal-'e.    JULIA  unveils  it. 

TACITUS. 

Within  that  urn,  my  friends,  is  all  that 's  left 

Of  one  whose  name  has  made  the  bravest  of  you  tremble; 

One  whose  lightest  whim  might  end  forever 

Love  and  hope  with  life  itself. 

Proud,  wilful,  bloody,  jealous  Nero, 

mi  That 's  the  sum  of  all  your  tyrannies, 

That  's  the  crown  you  '11  wear  until  the  end  of  time  itself. 

VESPASIAN. 
You  say  't  is  Nero's  dust? 

TACITUS. 

He,  even  he,  left  friends; 
They  spirited  away  the  urn  for  fear  some  desperate  soul, 
Dishonored  by  the  monster,  should  in  frenzy 
Cast  upon  the  winds  his  hated  ashes;  they 
Succumbed  before  the  hour  of  safety  had  returned; 
A  will  was  brought  to  me  in  the  usual  course  of  law, 
1120       And  thus  I  'm  made  the  guardian  to  carry  back 
This  dust  unto  its  sepulchre; 
I!  I!  Whose  brother  died  at  his  command. 
And  my  weak,  long  delayed  revenge 
Must  satisfy  itself  in  making  him, 
The  once  supreme  and  mighty  ruler  of  the  world, 
The  small  talk  of  our  meal. 

APICIUS. 
He  was  a  tyrant,  at  his  board 
I  left  my  fresh,  young,  strong  digestion; 
1129  Give  me  that  again  arid  take  ten  years  of  life. 

JUVENAL. 

He  took  from  me  my  actor  Paris! 
How,  in  my  old  age,  can  I  expect  to  find 


5.  Tkc  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY  I 

Another  subject  for  a  satire,  such  as  he? 
I've  nothing  now  to  rail  against  but  gluttony  and  theft, 
Dishonesty  and  husband  poisoning  and  greed  and  lust  and  lies, 
1135  And  such  minute  discrepancies;  so  Xero, 

Take  a  dozen  years  and  give  me  back  my  actor,  rank! 

IfAJti  rsihrurn     AULUS  rises  and  after  putting 

■irr  into  a  bowl  of  wine  which  KLAliO  hjs  on  a  tray,    re- 
turns to  his  f.  1 

NARCISSA. 

Ah,  avaricious  claw,  what  hast  thou  done 

With  all  my  father's  gold? 

Four  hundred  millions  of  sestertii 

Thou  filched  from  my  inheritance  and  left  me  none; 

A  score  of  >car.-  for  such  a  hill  of  gold  I  'd  gi\e. 

TITUS. 

And  I  as  much  if  he  '11  bring  back  my  friend  Britannicus, 

Whose  death  he  managed  w  ith  the  \  ile  Locusta's  deadly  draft. 

<  Mi  Nero!  hath  the  world  a  friend  to  offer  any  man, 

"15  To  match  Britannicus? 

TACITUS. 

Another  life  is  offered  thee,  why  Xero,  dost  thou  hesitate? 

JUVENAL. 

MTS,  to  think  a  man  who  never  did  a  favor, 
Will  begin  the  practice,  now  he  'a  dead. 

TITUS. 

My  friend>.  I  've  lost  a  day! 

What  favor  have  I  granted  since  the  sun  came  up? 

X  dust,  I  '11  favor  it, 

And  we  w  !  at  him.  once  more  will  do  him  re\erence. 

A  drink  to  Nero's  dust! 

JUVENAL. 
And  let  us  drink,  as  the  emperor  and  myself  are  wont  to  do, 
1155  In  thi>  time  honored  custom,  friends. 

j»./  VESPASIAN  s; 
■n      I.I  I  7.1  embraces  1.UC1A, 
1  left.    Downright 

,.     '...'.    ..-  j  cahe. which  he  regards  with  envy. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 


53 


VESPASIAN. 

Simplicity  is  dead  in  these  degenerate  days, 

And  ancient  vigor,  sapped  by  luxury, 

Consumes  itself  in  idleness  and  vanity. 

BERENICE. 

Friends,  give  me  to  drink; 
I  learned  that  ancient  art  in  Alexandria. 

The  banqueters  rise  on  their  hands.     I.IV1A,  LUCIA,  JULIA 
an J  TITUS  stand.  BERENICE  extends  her  hand  in  vain. 

1:61  Is  this  your  far-famed  Flavian  hospitality? 

Why  not  a  farmhouse  on  my  way  from  Greece 
Hath  held  aloof  with  such  ungraciousness  as  thine. 

TACITUS. 

Ah,  Berenice,  Jewess  grand--and  aged-think  you 
We  are  farmers  to  be  played  upon? 

BERENICE. 
Contemptuous  Tacitus,  of  all  the  men  I  've  met 
Since  I  last  dined  within  these  portals,  none 
Hath  equalled  thy  injustice  to  my  race. 

PLINY. 

::&9  Sweet  Berenice,  which  hath  had 

The  intellect  to  pierce  thy  siren's  charms? 

BERENICE. 

This  boy,  who  's  he? 

TACITUS. 

This  venerable  dame; 
We  '11  have  our  fortunes  told  and  let  her  gfo. 

Elite  1 
takes 


Enter  TRAJAN,  upper  left.  At  a  motion  from  VESPASIAN  he 
r  las  place. 


BERENICE. 

Oh  Titus!  hath  the  day  not  been  when  jibes  like  these, 

Would  echo  in  the  dungeons  of  the  Mamertine? 

You  loved  me  then,  and  now  you  stand  and  see  me  jeered. 

Time  was  when  feasting  waited  on  a  mood  of  mine; 

1178  And  now,  here  Trajan,  this  young  man,  not  long  ago 

A  soldier  rough  from  Spain,  unpolished  and  uncouth, 


54 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


He  sits  him  down  with  emperors  and  I  stand  pleading, 

Not  for  love  or  friendship,  merely  for  a  place  with  you, 

That  I  may  humbly  listen  to  the  accents, 

Once  poured  out  to  me  in  passionate  promises  and  vows. 

TITUS. 

You  come  without  an  invitation, 

Nay,  a  banished  and  forbidden  guest  you  come; 

And  BO  you  stand. 

You  come  because  you  hope  to  throw  o'er  me-  again 
"88  The  spell  you  exercized  so  long; 

But  Berenice,  know  that  I  have  risen 

h  above  that  base  infatuation. 
Know  that  Titus  rules  himself  again, 
And  baste  thee  back  to  thy  Cilician  kinglet, 
.  sister  steals  the  fellow  from  th\  arm-. 

BERENICE. 

You  lightly  cast  the  seeds  of  scorn, 

it  heavily  shall  you  reap  the  harvest  of  revenge. 

This  Li  via;  will  the  commi  in  herd  of  Rome 

Fall  down  in  adoration  when  it 's  fully  known 

That  you  have  taken  from  the  temple  for  your  lust 

A  ei  stal  pun?  Rouse  not  their  wrath, 

1100         But  let  our  old  time  friendship  spring  again. 

ight  aim 

■ 

APICIUS. 
( »li  I  should  like  to  take  his  place,  fair  Jew! 

JUVEN\L. 
Oh  ho!  Apicius!  tell  us  now,  w  here  you  have  ever  found 
.  warmer  flavored  dish  than  that? 
Apicius,  come!  extol  the  Berenician  digits! 

Tell  US  all,  the  nature  of  the  condiment,  or  possibly  'tis  | 

And  rivals  both  the  Kentish  oyster  and  the  Melian  crane; 
no;  tlie  flavor  of  the  nightingale, 

And  makesth  beartsas  flat  as tb 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 


55 


API€IUS. 

I  did  mistake  a  physic  for  a  feast.  *«>££ 

BERENICE. 

There  is  a  place,  between  a  young  fool  and  an  older  one, 

And  even  there  I  'd  sit.  £S"H#J$£ 

TACITUS. 

And  throw  the  glamour  of  thy  middle  age  upon  the  group. 

BERENICE. 

Oh  Titus!  should  I  tell  you  that  conspiracy 

Hath  reared  its  hateful  head  again, 

That  men  here  drinking  of  your  wine, 

1216  "Will  presently  be  drinking  of  your  blood, 

And  I  could  save  you,  would  you  take  me  back? 

TITUS. 

'Tis  ninety  eight  conspiracies,  if  I  remember, 

Sometimes  two  a  day,  you  've  saved  me  from; 

Your  old  time  generosity  in  that  respect 

Seems  with  you  still. 

BERENICE. 

I  had  sharp  eyes  for  thee ; 
No  plot  did  ever  take  such  root,  when  I  was  loved, 
Or  spring  such  mighty  branches 
As  the  one  whose  growing  shadow  soon  shall  prove  thy  night. 

TITUS. 

A  welcome  darkness  if  it  happily  hides  thy  smile. 

TRANQUILL1US  grandly  bows  her  to  the  entrance. 

BERENICE. 

Beware  thee  Titus,  of  the  swift  resentment  of  discarded  love. 

TITUS  To  KLABO,  only  LIVIA  and  LUCIA 

•         being  near  enough  to  catch  his  words. 

'"8  Detain  her  for  a  private  interview. 

Exit  BERENICE,  lower  left.    APIC1US  spits  after  her. 

Conspirators,  if  you  be  here, 

Look  in  my  father's  face  and  ask  yourselves 

If  he  hath  not  a  kindlv  domination  held? 


5* 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


Conspirators,  look  in  his  face, 

And  hesitate  before  you  strike  the  faithful  steward; 

Think  before  you  plunge  your  country  into  civil  war, 

And  think  before  you  place  yourselves  in  opposition 

1236  To  the  mighty  hand  that  still  rules  Rome. 

I  think  you  all  are  friends; 

I  see  no  face  that  augurs  mischief,  here; 

I  think  the  Jewess  spoke  from  sp:te, 

I'm  sure  she  did.   "We'll  prove  it!  here,  an  oath! 

By  Nero'a  ashee  and  my  father's  head, 

That  you  are  loyal  to  our  rule! 

Alt  at  tk*  l<-JI  ■■■  VESPASIAN,  tut  >>ut  tktir  hands 

A  GENERAL  SPEECH. 
Long  live  Vespasian,  emperor! 

TITUS. 

...  A.,.1  L„-.l  fit  plactstlu urn  em  tie  right table and  all im 

•H-l  And  ll.  hinds,  except  I.UCIA   andUVTA 

Your  hand  *s  unmoved. 

LIVIA. 

And  so  it  shall  remain. 

TITUS. 

ir  brother,  here — 

LIVIA. 
Forgets  his  father's  death. 

TITUS. 

You  will  not  swear  you  're  loyal — 

LIVIA. 
Not  by  Nero's  ash  1. 

TITUS. 
1251  By  the  gods. 

LIVIA. 

Nor  yet  by  them ; 
I  '11  swear  no  more  by  pagan  gods  or  mortal  dust, 

For  I  am  now  become  a  Christian.       r*ey  *u statu 


of  TITUS  FLAV1US.        57 

TITUS. 

Thou  a  Christian! 

LIVIA. 
Yea,  a  Christian,  Titus, 

She  removes  her  white  tunica-pallium .  appearing  in  a  black  robe. 

1257  I  am  done  with  courts  and  splendid  pomp, 

And  luxury  and  sin.   Gaudentius,  come!       "werngltl 
This  worthy  man  will  henceforth  be  my  teacher  and  my  guide. 

TITUS. 

What  folly  sir,  is  this? 

You  know  that  we  have  overlooked  your  superstitious  worship, 

For  the  sake  of  your  great  art,  but  now  you  step  too  far; 

We  will  permit  you  yet  to  leave  our  presence, 

But  our  wife  remains. 

LIVIA. 

We  go  together. 

TITUS. 

Livia,  tell  me  when  I  've  given  thee  cause  to  leave  thy  home; 

Have  I  been  harsh,  have  I  been  faithless,  cold  or  distant? 

When  have  I  denied  thee  any  pleasure  that  the  empire  holds? 

1269        And  who  could  love  thee  with  a  deeper  passion 

Than  the  one  which  burns  in  me? 

LIVIA. 

T  1„ j-1,„„  „  +  :i1  She  turns  to  GAUDENTI- 

1  lOVe  tnee  Still.  US  with  a  ge-turc  of  appeal. 

GAUDENTIUS. 

But  her  Redeemer's  voice  is  heard. 

TITUS. 

Invoke  thy  slimy  magic  now, 
And  see  if  it  prevails  against  the  Roman  sword. 

TITUS  motions  and  a  number  of  soldiers,  led  by  SEXTUS,  en- 
ter, middle  left.     CASCA  approaches  TITUS. 

Arrest  the  man  and  watch  the  woman, 
1276  Lest  by  occult  practices  they  spirit  her  away. 

CASCA.  T° TITUS- 

You  hold  her  and  destroy  all  evidence;  I  've  posted  guards! 


5»  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


nutnjinn,  meat  his  ..     art. 

My  son,  allow  them  to  depart  in  peace; 

I  've  dreaded  long  the  mischief  which  might  come  to  us 

Through  this  unnatural  woman.  Think  yourself  well  rid  of  her. 

TITUS. 
1181        I  want  to  save  h^r  from  her  own  intended  folly, 
Even  though  her  love  I  seemingly  h;:' 

DEtNTlUS  AULUSin  tt  ■ 

to  l.l vi.  \  .  TUS. 

1  saw  your  signal! 

L:    ;    1  • 

1  »    •'  ■  She  turns  jhJ 

LIVIA. 
<  i'i  think  no  more  of  thi 
n  of  a  journey  to  my  mother's  h<  1 
Turn  not  your  heart  against  me,  Titus, 
Think- \ou  I  would  leave  you  thus,  without  a  ca 
And  think  you  it  shall  be  for  all  time;  no,  no,  tiol 
1290  S  me  still,  you '11  love  me  alw; 

A 1     the  happy  days  Bhall  come  again; 
The  happy  days  shall  conn-  again. 

VESPASIAN. 
drink 's  been  di  '    Assist  m<  h  ace! 

1  '11  be  a  tfod  myself  in  half  an  hour, 
If  tlu\  can't  ea  -<■  this  pain. 

I  dhy    V  \RKO 
the  right. 

TITUS. 
X    v.  ,\   '  is,  ■■ .  -hall  know  the  meaning  of  that  signal, 

1297  And  the  reason  for  thi-  poison  mixing. 

..■/*  with  j  ■ 

Go!Tranquiiiius,  bring  physicians,  quickly!  Hereis  some  reliefj 

upper   right. 

J'J  1  ....  /  rrfjrcj. 

VESPASIAN. 

Oh  take  me  to  mv  Sabine  home,  for  there  I  shall  be  safe; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

1300  The  oracles  have  said  I  am  to  die  in  Rome. 

Exeunt  VESPASIAN,  PLINY  and  TACITUS,  "/•per  right 
Tha  women  are  gathered  about  that  entrain  e.  /inter  I'RAfAN, 
middle  left,  fallowed  by  SEXTUS  carrying  a  roll  of  papers. 

TRAJAN. 

These  papers  have  been  found  on  Aulus'  person. 

TITIK  SEXTUS/mnds 

Thou  hast  proved  thyself  my  friend. 

A  speech  to  be  delivered  to  the  guards. 

The  Praetorians  here  are  promised  heavy  sums, 

When  Aulus  sits  upon  my  father's  throne. 

The  Jewess  knew! 

We're  tangled  in  the  toils  of  some  wide-spread  conspiracy. 

Go  '.Trajan,  go!  Divide  the  guards! 

Some  to  the  palace  here,  some  to  patrol  the  streets ! 

First!  have  Aulus  executed,  where  he  stands. 

A  silence.  Exit  SEXTUS.  middle  left.  TITUS  reads  the  second 
paper.  The  footfalls  of  SEXTUS  and  the  rattle  of  the  parch- 
ment are  the  only  sounds.  Presently  a  loud  cry  from  AULUS, 
within:  then  a  brief  silence,  broken  bv  the  sound  of  a  falling 
body.  Exeunt  the  women,  upper  riq-ht.  Re-enter  SEX  TUS,  mid- 
dle left.     Exit  TRAfAN,  upper  teft. 

A  roll  of  traitors  names;  of  men  esteemed  our  friends. 
To  the  deepest  dungeons  of  the  Mamertine, 
1313  With  the  last  name  listed  here. 

Exeunt  JUVENAL.  DOMITJAN  and  KLABO,  upper  right. 
Enter  GA  UDEXTIUS.  disordered,  loiver  right. 

GAUDENTIUS. 

Oh  Caesar!  they  have  dragged  thy  wife  away! 

Outside  the  palace  gates,  two  crowds  set  on  with  clubs 

And  bruised  me  thus,  while  she  was  carried  off. 

TITUS. 

Come  Sextus,  come,  with  all  our  speed  to  Livia's  rescue. 
Thou,  Gaudentius,  guide  us  as  thou  lovest  thy  life. 

Tc   AnInaHparl?  SEXTUS  shows 

lb  ^\UlUi5  UCdU  :  /l!s  bloody  sword. 

You,  Casca,  take  command  of  all  our  forces  here. 
Our  father  must  be  guarded  on  his  way. 
'322  We  leave  the  list  with  you. 

Exeunt,  lower  right,  all  except  TITUS,  CASCA,  VARRO  and 
a  few  soldiers. 

Add  Pliny 's  name .  ***  TITPS' lower  right- 


«.  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

CASCA. 

Before  you  take  these  prisoners 
T<>  the  Mamertine  bring  each  one  here  to  me. 
Wait  Varro!  bring  me  Gallus  and  Demetrius  and  Graccus  first. 

Exit  VARRO,  after  left,  fblbmtd  by  CASCA.  Enter  77,'. /.V- 
QUILL1US.  upper  right.  With  great  circumspection  he  pro- 
ceeds to  the  lejt  table  and  i  the  cahe  which  lie 

mired  uhen    APICIUS  enters,  m 

They  are  mutually  startled  and  disgusted  on  discovering 
tack  other. 

APICIUS. 

You 're  eating,  -ir! 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
'3>8  Sir! 

APICIUS. 

At  the  Km-peror's  board;  be  off! 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
Be  off!  You  heard  the  order  and  you  are  not  gone. 

APICIUS. 
I  heard  the  order  and  I  am  aot  gone;  what  order,  clown? 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

Theordcr\vastotakeuparms;ii,Min>t  the  traitor;  in  the  street. 

APICIUS. 
Ehl 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

Whatarmb  do  I  Bee  you  take  up? 

APICIUS. 

I? 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
1336  Aye! 

APICIUS 
I'm  not  a  soldier. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

What  then  might  you  be? 

APICIUS. 
I'll  have  you  know  that  I  am  something  better;  a  civilian,  sir!" 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
1340  The  Emperor  desires  the  best  of  help; 

Civilians  are  particularly  charged  to  take  up  arms. 

APICIUS. 

Eh! 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

And  speedily;  be  off! 

APICIUS. 

I  've  not  the  bearing  of  a  military  man; 
I  fear  I  might  be  in  the  way. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

The  enemy's  way,  no  doubt; 
A  position  of  great  usefulness,  you'd  stop  a  dozen  spears. 

APICIUS. 
«34«  I? 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

Aye! 

APICIUS. 

Say  that  you '  ve  not  seen  me ; 
For  I  fear  my  health  will  not  permit  the  sacrifice; 
However  much  it  might  be  to  my  taste. 

He  gives  TRANQUILLIUS  money  and  is  about  to  go,  when 
MONIDES  enters,  upper  left,  carrying  a  crow  impaled  on  an 
arrow. 

What 's  this? 

MONIDES. 

My  master  sent  me  word 
That  you  should  have  the  game  I  killed  today. 

My  luck  was  bad  and  this  was  all  I  shot.  tAe°£w. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

1357  Oh  this  will  suit  your  taste,  oh!  oh! 

Enter  PLINY,  JUVENAL  and  TACITUS,  upper  right.  They 
conceal  themselves  behind  columns. 

APICIUS. 

How  can  I  ever  come  to  that? 


*  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

Then  lose  your  bet. 

APICIUS.  Segroanl 

I        Oh  do  me  not  this  violence!    My  health  will  not  permit; 
Consider  that! 

TRANQUILLIUS.  J'<  t"""ds  'a  w">- 

■363  We  feel  for  you. 

APICIUS. 

I  'm  sure  of  it, 
And  never  was  I  cold  w  h<  n  sympathy  was  shown. 
Come,  toss  this  thing  away;  here  's  something  to  enjoy, 

Two  hundred  new  sestertii  apiece.  They  re/us,. 

'Twill  buy  at  least  a  fourth  jrour  freedom,  fool. 

They  mcctpt.     MONIDBS  tkrtms  tkt  a  xlddli. 

Diplomacy  's  a  noble  art;  it  hath  protected  thee,  good  friend. 

He  GBTWXMJ   his  at^omen. 

A  load  is  off  my  mind. 

Ilr  stes  fhJt  the  .  r.»H'   1  <  trill   in  : 

Oh  throw  it  out.  entirely  out! 

TACITUS  discovers  himself  to  them. 

TACITUS. 

>37«  Diplomacy.  Apicius.  is  a  noble  art. 

PUNY  Jffran 

PLINY. 
The  culinary  art-  are  quite  surpassed. 

JUVRSAL  offrjri  .inJ  pul-i  up  : lie 

JUVENAL. 

<  >h  what  a    load  is  taken  off  thy  mind. 
Thou  Monides;  I  took-  thee  for  an  honest  .-lave. 

MONIDES. 

And  30  I  am.  1  knew  that  you  were  there 

And  so  I  made  the  trade. 

I  felt  your  pr  lithful  dog  would  do; 

1378  And  so  entrapped  the  fellow,  here. 

APICIUS. 
Degraded  villain!  it  was  I  who  laid  the  plot, 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        * 

Intending  to  inform  your  master  of  your  base  behavior. 
1381         I  alone  perceived  that  they  were  hidden  there. 

JUVENAL. 

You  felt  our  presence  too,  no  doubt.    utfe/LftjLsiily. 

APICIUS. 

I  knew. 

JUVENAL. 

We  know  you  knew  but  how  did  you  find  out? 

APICIUS. 

Oh  I  found  out. 

JUVENAL. 

Oh  you  found  out, 
But  tell  us  now,  what  sense  discovered  us  to  you. 

APICIUS. 

My  nose. 

JUVENAL 

1389  Thy  nose? 

APICIUS. 

I  smelt  you,  sirs. 

JUVENAL. 

A  marvelous  nose. 

APICIUS. 

Oh  any  nose  would  do  for  that.  I  '11  eat  the  crow.  f£k$. 

JUVENAL. 

A  thing  like  this  would  nearly  cure  Vespasian's  pain. 

PLINY. 
Nay,  Juvenal;  the  sickness  now  upon  him  is  his  last. 

TACITUS. 
1395         I  fear  he  '11  never  get  beyond  the  city's  walls. 

PLINY. 

And  forming  rnobs  await  his  death  in  murderous  expectancy. 


6<  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

TACTHJS. 

A  civil  war  i«  bursting  in  its  fury  over  Rome, 
And  Lust  and  Rapine  loosen  for  their  horrid  work; 
■399       Our  lives  are  menaced  and  our  households  stand 
Unbarred  against  the  sweeping  throng! 

PLINY. 

The  slender  thread  is  not  yet  snapt, 

And  while  the  pulse  of  passion  running  high 

Endangers  peace  and  mocks  authority, 

If  with  persuasive  eloquence  in  opposition  we  unite, 

The  misery  of  Rome  may  even  yet  be  stayed. 

JUVENAL. 
i.jo6       I  have  a  graver  duty  here  to  keep  me  for  a  time, 

Bstmai  PUNY  and  TACITUS,  loatr  .>//. 


of  TITUS  FLAVTUS.        '5 


Tie  firft  folyloquie  of  Decimus  Junius  Juvenslys. 

Poor,  feathered  blackness,  limp  and  stale, 

Thy  life  is  ended,  hope  and  fear  are  done; 

Thy  lusty  throat  no  more  shall  split  the  air, 

Thy  mounting  flight  shall  not  again  enthrall 

The  envious  eyes  of  creeping  men. 

And  thou  wast  hatched  to  point  our  joke. 

Didst  ever  in  thy  bold  and  careless  journeys 

Dream  they  tended  here? 

Didst  ever  think  that  from  thy  fate 

A  melancholy  moral  would  be  drawn? 

Old  crow,  you  laugh  at  me; 

I  see  a  gleam  of  humor  in  that  filmy  eye. 

Yea!  yea!  you  're  wiser  now  than  all  mankind, 

For  which  of  us  can  surely  say 

That  he  '11  outlive  his  mortal  frame, 

Though  which  of  us  hath  not  that  hope? 

Old  crow,  you  know; 

But  a  manful  price  you  've  paid  to  learn. 

The  sound  of  approaching  soldiers  is  lieard.  JUVENAL  looks 
out  at  the  several  entrances  and  seeing  escape  cut  off,  he  con- 
ceals himself  behind  a  curtain  below  middle  right. 


«  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

These  implements  of  sacrifice!         %f?% 
Oh  brother!  brother!  brother  I 
Let  me  Iiv< 
147J  Oh  let  me  live  a  little  longer! 

Just  a  day,  an  hour! 
To  kill  me  now  without  a  moment's  warning! 
Thus  to  plunge  me  into  darkn 
Like  a  torch  blown  out  at  midnight  by  a  gust  of  wind! 
Ob  give  me,  Casca,  pet  a  little  time; 
A  murderer  was  never  hastened  to  his  doom 
With  such  devoted  speed. 

CASCA. 
No  murderer  did  e'er  deserve  thy  swift  destruction. 

Could  an  hour  avail  you  aught? 

LIVIA. 

Oh  even  be  it  spent  within  the  shadow  of  eternity, 
There  still  would  he  a  little  of  life's  sunshine  left. 
H&t  \  thought,  a  dream,  a  hope  might  spring 

That  mercy  driven  from  th\  heart  h\  superstition, 

Would  within  that  time  return. 

Why  should  1  die? 

What  injur)  have  rought, 

T  •  anj  1  reature  on  the  earth,  much  less  to  thee. 

CASCA. 

rth  condemn  thee  not; 

Tb.  :  h\  death. 

Youri  rtionoftl.     acred  fire  of  Vesta, 

And  your  mani  tinst  their  laws  have  rous  I  their  anger, 

.  tin  life  must  answer  for  tin  crin 

LIVIA. 

A  crime,  my  brother,  was 't  a  crime 

496  floomy,  cold,  unnatural  place? 

Th<  tire!  it  flickers  out  a  dozen  limes, 

Wh(  re  Romans  hear  of  that  calamity  but  once. 

The  gods,  m\  brother' 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

1500      Art  thou  still  so  much  the  child  to  how  to  them? 

If  gods  exist,  through  what  protection  have  I  lived  so  long? 

If  gods  exist,  why  call  they  on  a  human  instrument 

When  all  the  majesty  of  nature's  anger 

"Waits  upon  their  least  command? 

If  gods  exist,  the  confines  of  perdition  hold  them 

When  their  tolerance  and  favor  rest  upon  the  deed  of  murder! 

Casca,  played  we  not  together  children? 

Did  you  love  me  then? 

Were  children  ever  happier? 

In  the  midst  of  our  delights  they  took  me  to  that  temple, 

Filled  my  mind  with  terrible  forebodings  of  the  fate  I  'd  meet 

Did  I  infringe  their  rules  and  orders; 

Stiiled  every  pleasure,  grimly  bound  me  to  their  life; 

And  thus  they  consecrated  me. 

'5>5  Oh  Casca,  thee  I  dreamed  of  then, 

And  in  my  heart  the  only  light  left  was  the  memory 
Of  the  pleasures  we  in  lisping  years  enjoyed. 

I  learned  the  mockery  of  worship 

And  I  longed  for  you  to  take  me  out;  in  vain; 

The  years  slipped  by;  in  vain! 

Then  Titus  came  and  he  I  loved, 

And  he  it  was  who  dared 

To  take  me  from  this  sacred  Vesta's  temple. 

Did  my  brother  welcome  me? 
I  found  thee  stern  and  cold  and  unforgiving. 

Casca,  search  thy  soul  and  know 
Wherein  the  profit  comes  before  you  kill  me. 
'528  Casca,  is  the  old  love  dead? 

CASCA. 

I  hoped  that  when  my  sister  came  to  die, 
She  'd  die  with  dignity  and  not  in  tears. 

LIVIA. 

Thy  treachery  where  loyalty  should  glory  in  his  strength, 
Thy  cowardice  and  failure  make  me  weep. 


p  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

If  Titus  knew — 

CASCA. 

Reproach  vne  not  with  Titus'  name! 
Read!  read!  in  her  handwriting,  as  I  warned  you,  -ee! 

LIVIA.  Without  confidence. 

1536      A  forgery. 

CASCA. 

ry!  and  this,  too,  is  a  forg 
And  one  -hall  cure  the  ills  inflicted  by  the  other. 

LIVIA. 
You  are  oot  reluctant. 

CASCA. 
Knowing  thou  art  guilty,  should  I  he  reluctant? 
Bere  in  Caesar's  house,  upon  the  scene  of  Nero's 

Claudius  died  by  poison, 
Where  Tiberius  and  Caligula  did  glory  in  debauchery, 
s-i-i  Shall  ri  teful  odor  to  the  gods, 

And  these  fair  ■  .til-  we  '11  stain  with  smokj  memori 
here  where  all  your  crimes  have  h-   11  committed, 
Shall  their  expiation  I 

LIVIA.  .,„/,,. 

Lift  up  thy  axe  and  fell  me, 
h  thy  knit-  my  throat, 

And  rip  my  bodj  up, 
ir  out  mj  entrails  for  thy  1 
Burn  me  piece  by  pio 
But  know  thou  Lentullus, 

omen  favorable  or  a  sign  auspicious 
1555  Thou  shalt  not  discover  in  tin  search; 

1  am  unfitted  El  *  1 1  ice.  i^fl-YrL'Z'?. 

Now  Cast  a!  art  thou  satisfied  the  time  1-  not  yet  come? 

What  priest  in  Rome  would  dare  to  offer  up  a  victim 

In  the  :  such  a  warning  fallen  from  above? 

T!.  d  bird.  SO  pureed, 


of  TITUS  FLAV1US. 


V 


1561        Portends  disaster  if  this  deed  be  executed  now. 

1  KAJ  AN.  Upper  right,  within. 

I  will  not  stand!....  What  right  have  you  to  bar  my  way? 
A  guard!  a  guard!  by  whose  authority?.... 
But  I  am  Trajan,  his  superior  in  command. 

Exit  C.ISC.I,  upper  right.    JUVENAL  reappears. 

JUVENAL. 

The  fates  are  thine  again ! 

Now  hide  thee  down  this  passageway 

And  come  not  out  until. . . .  until 

I  strike  the  jar  here,  twice. 

LIVIA. 

If  Titus  calls? 

JUVENAL. 
■570  Not  even  then! 

I  '11  find  the  truth  about  this  forgery, 

And  if  he  's  innocent,  his  arm  shall  strike  the  blows; 

Three  times  if  it  be  he. 

LIVIA. 

The  hole  is  deep,  it  yawns  with  mystery; 
The  steps  are  narrow,  slippery  and  steep. 

LIVIA  descends  into  the  opening  behind  the  stylobate.  JUVE- 
NAL extinguishes  the  fire  and  lounges  against  the  lower  right 
corner  of  the  altar.   CASCA  reenters. 

JUVENAL. 
Viend  Casca,  how  's  thy  health  today? 

CASCA. 

How  came  you  here? 

JUVENAL. 

I  first  put  this  foot  first, 
Then  this  foot  first,  and  so  I  came. 
1580  A  remarkable  proceeding  was  it  not? 

I  think  few  men  could  do  the  thing  as  well  as  I, 
For  of  my  youth  it  took  me  seven  years  to  learn. 


?>  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

CASCA. 

I  think  few  men  can  lie  as  well  as  thou; 
And  that 's  a  thing  you  never  had  to  learn. 

JUVENAL. 

That  capability  is  inborn  in  the  human  race. 

CASCA. 
You  hid  behind  this  curtain,  sir! 
•587  What  disposition  have  you  made  of  Livia? 

Speak  <>r  die  the  deathl 

JUVENAL. 

Oh  my  dear  boy!  I  '11  Bpeak,  of  course.  Pray,  calm  yourself; 

I  have  no  w  ish  to  die  the  death,  nor  live  the  death, 

Nor  have  a  thing  on  earth  to  do  withyour  fine  death. 

By  Jove,  1  wish  that  piece  of  shrouding  cloth 

1    me  not  bo  bv<  Iftly  from  the  looms  of  fate. 

I  hid,  of  course;  you  asked  me  how  I  came,  1  told  you  how, 

But  w  he  n,  you  did  not  seem  to  \\i>h  to  know. 

CASCA. 
'596  My  Bister  Livia,  where 

JUVENAL. 

Translated. 

CASCA. 

Juvenal,  speak  the  truth! 

JUVENAL 

Translated,  asLlive; 
She  's  made  a  member  with  the  supernatural  powers  above. 
ore  my  terror  stric  3 1  saw  a  spirit, 

Clothed  in  \\  hite,  deso  nd, 
And  taking  our  8W<    I  1.  ria  by  the  hand; 
1604  Through  the compluvium  they  soared, 

,id  quickly  vanished  in  the  great  blue  vault. 

lie  point*  into  the  air  and  they  both  look  up. 

CASCA. 

And  did  the  spirit'.-  face  seem  fierce  or  mild? 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        73 

JUVENAL. 

'Twas  mild  to  milkiness  on  her;  on  me  it  fiercely  glared. 

CASCA. 

1608  You  lie,  old  reprobate! 

JUVENAL. 

And  you  lack  dignity,  my  virtuous  friend. 

CASCA. 

She  's  hid  about  these  entrances. 

H(  '  guards,  draw  in; 

Let  not  a  soul  slip  by  you! 

We  will  see  if  thou  hast  spoke  the  truth. 

Guards  appear  at  all  the  entrances. 

JUVENAL. 

The  sole  and  only  mistress  of  my  tongue  is  lovely  truth. 

CASCA. 

Here  come  two  women,  they  may  throw  some  light 
1616  Upon  these  mysteries.    Withdraw!      %£%%$■ 

JUVENAL 

Investigate  to  suit  yourself; 
I  '11  not  remain  to  hear  my  word  impugned. 

Exit  JUVENAL,  lower  right.  Enter  BERENICE,  middleright. 
followed  by  NARCJSSA. 

BERENICE.  to  casca. 

Translated!  yea,  translated! 

Foolish  boy,  she  's  in  some  passage! 

You  are  standing  o'er  a  stairway  now. 

Narcissa  thinks  you  went  too  far. 

CASCA. 

You  overheard? 

NARCISSA. 

Quite  plainly, 
1625  But  you  put  her  far  too  much  in  terror. 

CASCA. 

It  was  necessary;  saw  you  not  the  spy? 


He  moves. 


7,  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

BERENICE. 
You  fooled  him  well. 

NARCISSA. 

She  still  believes  you  were  in  earnest. 

CASCA. 

You  must  go  to  her  at  once,  induce  her  to  come  out; 

I  '11  hide  her  safely,  till  the  danger's  past; 

For  I  \v  done  all  that  Caesar  can  demand; 

As  such  an  omen  would  delay  the  mightiest  enterprise. 

NARCISSA. 

1633  I  '11  lose  myself  and  never  find  her. 

BERENICE. 
I  will  be  your  guide  and  when  she  's  found 

My  presence  you  need  not  betray; 

She  fears  me---- 

NARCISSA. 
So  do  I.  You  play  with  us. 
Explain  whv  you  should  have  a  good  design, 
And  QOt  an  evil  one. 

BERENICE. 

To  gain  your  lover's  friendship,  then, 

When  he  in  favor  basks  again, 

And  Titus  hath  been  cured  of  his  delusion, 

I  will  hare  an  ally  in  my  plea  for  pension. 

I  am  growing  old;  my  lengthening  days 

R<  quire  provision  and  support; 

Of  Caesar  1  have  asked  a  mountai  1 

1^7  That  I  may  be  favored  with  a  hill. 

NARCISSA. 
If  this  proves  not  the  truth,  I  '11  ask  you  why. 

Bxil  NARCISSA,  middle  right. 

BERENICE. 
With  Livia,  your  cowardice  and  failure  make  me  weep; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        75 

Hath  not  the  time  for  action  come? 
Be  careful,  Casca;  here  your  danger  lies; 

Her  heart  is  like  a  curdling  milk 
And  sourly  will  she  serve  you  in  the  end. 

££!£M£££C£'J?W!i.r&M-  *»'«"  t'-lA'KO.  lower  left,  with 
DhMk.7 RIUS,  GALLUS  atij  GXAOCU& 

VARRO. 

The  chief  conspirators. 

CASCA. 

,655  The  fortunes  of  the  hour 

Have  placed  your  lives  in  Caesar's  hands, 

And  painful  shall  you  find  his  grasp. 

The  fate  of  Aulus,  dead  in  yonder  hall, 

By  Titus'  order,  but  by  my  design, 

For  he  had  falsely  promised  your  allegiance  to  me, 

Must  show  you  where  you  stand; 

Without  a  hope--unless 

You  favor  my  ambition  for  imperial  authority. 

DEMETRIUS. 

We  will  consider  it.  They  ammm  afarL 

GRACCUS. 

What  need  of  this? 

GALLUS. 

1666  What  better  fortune  could  we  wish, 

He  's  wealthy,  young  and  popular, 
The  multitude  will  split  their  throats 
When  he's  declared. 

DEMETRIUS. 

He  may  be  seeking  thus  a  further  proof  of  guilt; 
He  may  be  faithful  yet  to  Flavian  rule. 

GALLUS. 
We  '11  take  an  oath. 

GRACCUS. 

l673  An  oath  is  needless  if  he 's  bent  upon  deceit, 


ii  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

And  needless  if  we  serve  a  common  cause. 

DEMETRIUS. 

This  brief  consideration  's  all  that  we  require 
1676    To  place  our  forces  and  our  lives  at  your  command. 
The  hour  is  full,  we  should  not  tarry  if  we'd  reap  its  fruits. 

CASCA. 

Then  each  to  his  plotted  work, 

To  meet  at  the  foot  of  the  hill, 

Where  I  have  sent  my  kinsmen  and  my  friends. 

DEMETRIUS. 
A  signal  when  to  act  should  be  agreed  upon. 

CASCA. 
This  ringing  rase.  I  '11  Btrike  it  twice  to  bring  you  up; 

Three  quick  and  heavy  blows  should  Titus  be  destroyed. 
1684         Th>-n  loose  the  rabble  on  the  Flavian.-'  friends, 
And  ere  the  sun  is  set  another  dynasty  shall  rule  in  Ro#le. 

u.l.cs  jnj  GR  I 
VAKRO.middU  Ufl   and  CASCA,  uffar  left    DOStlTIA 
in,  middU  right,     fir  enters,  followed by  KLABO  and  at  hi 

mr  immense  tundles  el  manuscripts,  which  seem 

-1  uith  mjnui.nti  i  enter  and  cross  from  lime  to  time. 

DOMITIAN. 

Come;  Klabo,  com<  '  we  have  no  time  to  waste. 

I  fear  -■  ime  rude  conspirator  w  ill  seize  our  manuscripts. 

We'll  re  >t  ourselves  in  distant  safety  till  the  storm  is  past, 

When  like  an  eagle  t<>  it ^  prey 

We'll  Bweep  down  on  the  upstart  head 

That  arrogantly  take-  OUT  father's  crown. 

1691  It  makes  me  laugh  t"  Bee  men  storm  at  Fate, 

To  sec  their  frantic  efforts  to  attract  her  predetermined  eye; 

The  fool-,  they  would  compel  the  hour, 

Hut  wise  men,  we  will  wait. 

A  quantity of gold  spills  jromone  of  the  manuscript!. 

Thou  carele->  dog,  tin-,  manuscripts 

Are  not  to  be  so  violently  thrown  about! 

The  gold  is  recovered.     Exeunt  all.  toiler  tell. 

TRAJAN.  syjk 

Oh  Casca!  Caeca  Lentullus! 


of  TITUS  FLAVTUS.        v 

Enter  TITUS  and  GAUDENTJUS,  lamer  right,  disposed  as 
old  men.  Enter  TRAJAN  and  JUVENAL,  vpfer  rinht. 

JUVENAL. 
Good  friends,  have  you  seen  Casca  Lenttdlus  about? 

TRAJAN. 

1700  Oh  Juvenal,  that  such  an  upright  man, 

From  noble  parents  sprung-, 

Should  thus  forget  his  loyalty, 

His  reputation,  honor,  prospects,  all, 

To  sink  to  plots  and  subterfuges 

Worthy  of  an  outcast  or  a  slave ! 

JUVENAL. 

With  more  than  your  reluctance,  Trajan, 
Was  I  made  acquainted  with  his  perfidy. 

TITUS. 

You  speak  of  Casca  Lentullus? 

JUVENAL. 

Can  this  be  Titus? 

TRAJAN. 

1710  Wearing  a  plebian's  gown. 

TITUS. 

Friends  it  is  I. 

JUVENAL. 

Is  Caesar  come  to  this? 
Doth  he  discard  his  dignity  so  lightly. 

TRAJAN. 

Had  his  friends  been  called  upon  and  shirked  the  duty, 
Then  he  might  have  reason  thus  to  masquerade. 

TITUS. 

It  doth  become  you  little  to  reproach  a  man. 
1717  Distract  by  his  intolerable  anxiety. 

JUVENAL. 

Doth  it  become  a  Roman, 


78  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

Thus  to  lose  his  judgement  in  a  sea  of  grief? 

TITUS. 

A  sea  of  doubt  but  not  of  grief. 
You  spoke  of  Casca  Lentullus?.... 

Is't  honorable  in  you  to  know  an  enemy  of  mine, 
1723  And  then  refuse  bis  name? 

TRAJAN. 

I  do  not  think  be  is  an  enemy  of  yours. 

TITUS. 

You  spoke  of  Casca.  Is  it  he? 

JUVENAL. 

It  is,  unless— 

TITUS. 

Unless! 

JUVENAL. 
You  signed  this  tablet  knowingly. 

TITUS. 
T  signed  a  tablet  hut  I  trusted  him  and  did  not  read  it. 
Are  JTOU  BUI 

JUVENAL. 

The  boj  18  maddened  b\  ambition,  see— 

TITUS. 

No!  No!  1  will  QOt  read  it! 

JUVENAL. 
You  must  aot  destroy  him  now. 

TITUS. 

Destroy  him  now!   I  could  embrace  him, 

1735  ild  shake  him  thus  for  joy!  ju^^juvenau 

Destroy  the  youth!   Would  you  destroy 

The  giver  of  all  happiness? 

(  Mi,  like  a  father*.-  t<>  the  erring  prodigal, 

My  hea  .>ut  to  him! 


of  TITUS  FLAVTUS.        79 

No  name  in  Rome  could  fall  more  sweetly  on  my  ears 

To  be  thus  coupled  with  an  accusation. 

Anger  would  have  kindled  in  my  breast 

Had  any  other  man  presumed  so  much, 

And  in  my  strength  I  would  have  smote  him  down, 

'745  But  Casca!  Casca!  glorious  traitor! 

Thou  hast  paid  for  all  thy  deeds  with  this  defection. 

No!  No!  I  will  not  read  it! 

I  must  find  my  wife!  Gaudentius,  come,  come,  cornel 

By  no  good  fortune  has  she  gotten  back? 

I  U  V  tN  AL.  He  straightens  his  shoulders. 

ohe  has  returned.  He  avoids  titus'  grast. 

TITUS. 

Where  is  she  now? 

JUVENAL  points  to  the  jar,  into  which  TITUS  thrusts  his  arm, 
whereupon  J  U  VENAL,  by  agesture,  has  him  strike  it  threeblows 
with  the  fiat  of his  sword.  LIVIA  enters  from  behind  the  sty lo- 
bafe.  She  hesitates  but  recognizes  TITUS  in  his  disguise  and 
they  embrace.  Cries  are  heard  in  the  distance.  Exit  J '  0 VENAL, 
upper  right  and  TRAfAN,  upper  left.  Thecries  continue, draw- 
ing nearer.    They  reenter, 

JUVENAL. 

Ah  Titus,  save  your  love  thoughts  for  a  timelier  hour; 
A  threatening  mob  is  loose  and  soldiers  make  up  part  of  it. 

TRAJAN. 

'754       Bestow  your  wife  here  in  the  passageway  again, 
Resume  your  habit  and  come  forth; 
Your  father's  throne  is  shaken  on  its  eminence. 

TITUS. 

My  friends  exaggerate  the  danger. 

Hath  the  shallow  sounds  of  idle  boys, 

The  power  to  fill  your  hearts  with  dread? 

TRAJAN. 

These  sounds  are  deep,  they  come  from  desperate  men, 

For  all  the  traitors  down  on  Aulus'  list 

Are  now  allied  with  Casca. 

When  they  find  you  in  plebian  garb, 

'764  Unarmed  and  unaccompanied, 


8.  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

You  will  answer  for  your  folly  with  your  life. 

TITUS. 

Then  out  among-  the  crowds  with  legionaries,  Trajan! 

Use  what  measures  seem  expedient 

Against  the  threatening  hour. 

You.  Juvenal,  with  Tacitus  and  Pliny  too, 
1770  I  ask  your  eloquence  in  smoothing  down 

The  ruffling  temper  of  the  street  - . 

Exit  TRAJAN,  upper  lift. 
LIVIA. 

'Tis  safe  for  me  within  the  hole? 

JUVENAL. 

And  come  not  out  till  Danger  n.. 
Her  ominous  wings  in  other  skies. 

1.1  VI A.  j'trr  embracing  TITUS. 

And  Titus,  should  you  fall  into  the  hands  of  hostile  guards, 

(  >n  no  account  make  known  your  name 
1777     For  it  will  surely  prove  the  warrant  of  your  death. 

Exit  JUVBNAi  ■:■  Bmttr BBRBNICB,  mUdle r,s-ht. 

TITUS. 

Thecrie-  are  growing  holder. 
Make  yourself  secure  within  the  >toiie. 
GAUDENTIUS. 
When  you  are  sate. 

TITUS. 
M.  safety,  what  is  that  to  thee? 

GAUDENTIUS. 

Art  thou  not  Caesar,  owe  I  not  allegiance  to  the  lord  of  Rome? 

TITUS. 

You  did  not  always  show  this  loyalty. 

GAUDENTIUS. 
1784  I  served  a  higher  master,  and 

I  did  not  know  you  as  I  know  you  now. 

Tn  this  hrief  time,  amid  the  shock  of  circumstance, 

T'ne  noble  metal  of  your  character  rings  true  and  strong; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

In  serving-  you  I  serve  the  King  of  Kings 

As  best  he  may  be  served  by  me; 

And  if  this  prove  thy  hour  of  need, 

My  strength  is  thine.  %&  11^^'fff. 

VARRO. 

Detain  the  two  old  men;  forbid  the  mob! 

Enter  SEX  T US.  on  the  left,  with  soldiers. 

With  me  you  are  for  Casca? 

SEXTUS. 

1794       I  will  serve  him  well.  Aside,   I  '11  serve  him  well. 

VARRO. 

What  enemies  of  his  have  you  brought  in? 

SEXTUS. 
I've  caught  Gaudentius'  wife  and  with  her  some  young  babe. 

TITUS.  To  GAUDENTIUS. 

Your  wife  took  Livia's  child?  He  assents. 

VARRO. 

Where  found  you  them? 

SEXTUS. 

In  Pliny's  house. 

VARRO. 

1800  In  Pliny's  house!  Why  entering  his  door 

I  found  the  Empress  Livia  herself. 
Oh  Pliny  hath  his  polished  way  with  womankind; 
I  '11  warrant  he  '11  not  be  forgot  when  times  are  good  again. 

TITUS'  jealousv  is  roused  again.   GA  UDENTIUS  has  been  takt  » 
to  the  left.  BERENICE  comes  forward. 

BERENICE. 

Nor  even  yet  while  times  are  bad  will  precious  Pliny  be  forgot. 

Stay  Varro,  with  your  men  stand  off  a  little  while. 

Proud  Caesar,  now  the  scale 

Of  Justice  tilts  against  your  tyranny, 

A  moment  since  I  stood  a  suppliant; 

You  turned  your  shoulder  to  my  tears; 

1810  But  now  your  life  hangs  on  my  word 


«•  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

And  when  I  caH  the  soldiers  back, 
They  '11  lead  you  off  to  death. 

TITUS. 

Then  call  them  back. 

BERENICE. 

Still  scornful,  still  asproud  as  in  thy  might. 

And  so  I'd  have  the  man  I  love. 
Fori  have  never  ceased  to  love  thee,  Titus, 
Never  thought  of  any  other— 

TITUS. 
18,8  Well!  well! 

BERENICE. 

1  have  grim  news,  oh  Titus! 

Grim,  knee  shaking  news  for  thee; 

Thy  friends  have  all  gone  o'er  to  Casca's  side, 

And  he,  by  acclamation,  no*  is  emperor,  succeeding  you. 

Hi-  deep  designs  include  your  death 

And  Livia's  sacrifice;  and  Numa's  death, 

When  be  finds  out  you  have  an  heir. 

Both  I  and  Livia's  friend  Nardssa, 

\\  e  have  helped  him  in  his  schemes 

■8l"  And  now  we  have  you  in  our  power. 

TITUS. 

I  still  have  friend-,  and  -tn-ngth. 

BERENICE. 

But  not  to  rescue  thee  from  Casca's  toils. 

The  palace  till-  with  partisans  of  his; 

This  wile,  though  -he  escape  him  once, 

Will  now  be  offered  u{>  a  sacrifice, 

While  mi  a  spear  your  head 

With  -•  I  and  x^~-  -rill  bob  alike, 

To  friend.-  once  faithful  and  to  foes  victorious. 
1837       I  love  you  stifl,  let  me  prove  traitor  to  his  cause, 
And  you  wSl  be  Augustus; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        * 

Promise  me  that  you  will  love  me  as  of  okl, 

And  I  will  get  you  through  his  fees 

And  lay  a  dagger  in  his  sides  to  silence  him. 

But  I  must  have  your  love. 

Deliver  up  this  faithless  wife; 

1844  The  child  you  may  retain. 

I  offer  you  my  love  and  Rome. 

TITUS. 

The  soldiers. 

BERENICE. 

V arrO !  /fc  advances. 

TITUS. 

Soldiers,  take  me  where  you  will, 
This  woman  here  is  done  with  me. 

SEXTUS has  MARTHA  brought  in,  at  the  left.  She  is  carrying 
NUMA. 

BERENICE. 

'850      To  death  with  him !  And  send  that  woman,  too. 

Exeunt   YARRO,  TITUS,  GAUDENT1US  and  certain  of  the 
soldiers,  upper  left. 

SEXTUS. 

Though  Varro  takes  thy  orders,  thrust  them  not  on  me. 

BERENICE. 

Delay  my  pleasure  at  your  peril,  sir! 

Exeunt,  lower  left,  all  except  BERENICE.  She  knocks  on  the  floor 
near  the  stvlooate  and  conceals  herself  on  the  left.  NARCISS14 
and  LI  V I A  enter  from  behind  the  stylobate.    Theories  continue. 

LiVIA. 

The  cries!  the  cries!  They  battle  in  the  street! 
The  mob  will  sweep  the  palace  for  they  win  the  day. 

NARCISSA 

1855  No!  no!  this  is  not  war;  'tis  but  a  tumult 

Titus  hath  himself  stirred  up, 
To  justify  his  monstrous  judgement  'gainst  yourself. 

LIVIA. 

Why  should  my  husband  have  to  justify  himself  for  any  deed? 


8,  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

NARCISSA. 
You  questioned  him  when  he  would  bring  the  Jewess  back. 

LIVIA. 
Ah  that's  a  plot  of  Casca's,  Titus  sent  her  off. 

NARCISSA. 
Perhaps  he  did.   Entrust  yourself  to  Casca, 

Dread  your  husband  till  the  doubt  is  cleared  away. 

LIVIA. 

Go  bring  mv  husband,  and  my  brother,  too, 
1864       By  seeing  them  together  I  may  learn  the  truth. 

it  S'ARCISSA,  middle  right. 

The  cries!  the  cries!  ( >h  where  is  Xuraa  in  this  turmoil? 
Is  lie  sate,  or  even  yet  alive? 
Oh  have  I  merited  these  charging  wo 

1   H,    V,,,,,      '    V,,,„   ,'  MARTHA,  with  b 

y  »n  wuma:  jNuma 
Martha'  he  's  asleep!  asleep,  oh  gentle  softn* 
Rest,  nn  Xinna.  rest  and  dream  of  love  and  happiness. 

Oh  exquisite,  most  marvelous  little  being,     fh'dni". 
Mine!  mine,  mine  again  to  love  I 
You've  brought  him  safely  bade. 

MARTHA. 

But  not  to  safety;  I  am  taken  by  the  soldiers, 

Brought  against  my  wilL 

LIVIA. 
1876  Qturion  Seztus  brought  you  back? 

I've  heard  mj  husband  speak  of  thee 
In  terms  of  highest  praise;  I  thank  thee  much. 

BERENICE. 
Y  tu  thank  too  soon  f  us  serves  on  Casca's  side. 

LIVIA. 
On  Casca's  side? 

BERENICE. 

I  do  not  gloss  my  hatred 


of  TITUS  FLAVIU&        % 

With  the  loathsome  pigments  of  hypocrisy; 

From  me  you'll  have  the  biting  truth: 

Your  brother  covets  the  imperial  purple, 

He  commands  the  hostile  troops  and  rouses  up  the  mob; 

He  thinks  the  gods  will  favor  him  if  you  are  sacrificed, 

And  craftily  he  plotted  to  that  end 

1888  While  Titus  still  was  powerful; 

And  though  his  courage  failed, 

His  purpose  still  for  satisfaction  calls. 

Your  husband's  love  is  always  yours. 

LIVIA. 

I  thank  thee,  woman,  much  for  that. 

BERENICE. 

Again,  you  thank  too  soon, 

For  though  he  still  is  true,  his  power  is  gone, 

And  Casca's  warrant  for  his  death  is  given  out. 

LIVIA  questions^  and  SEXTUS  and  MARTHA  assent. 

LIVIA. 

Oh  Sextus,  you  the  valiant  soldier, 

Stand  unharmed  and  he  goes  out  to  death! 

The  meshes  of  adversity,  they  sift  our  friends  and  few  we  hold. 

BERENICE. 

And  fortunate  you  are,  if  tangling  in  the  stinging  threads, 

1900  Your  life  is  not  cut  through. 

When  Casca  comes  again, 

A  victim  to  his  superstitious  rage  you  fall; 

I  hate  you  but  I  still  have  pity; 

Go  to  him,  resign  your  life,  to  save  your  son, 

For  if  you  do  the  boy  shall  safely  grow  in  Martha's  care; 

Delay  and  take  his  life, 

As  you  do  murder  those  despairing  wretches  in  the  streets, 

By  hiding  here. 

LIVIA. 

The  cries !  the  cries ! 
1910  Oh  fearful  hour  that  makes  my  happiness 


*  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

The  instrument  of  death; 

That  drives  me  to  the  final  brink, 

Amid  the  mortal  sounds  of  battle's  violence! 

Have  mercy,  oh  you  dreadful  arbiter-! 

Numa!  Numa!  guard  him  well, 

>9'6        And  from  the  other  shore  I  '11  intercede  for  you. 

SAm  .'.  uffer  le/t,  when  CASCA  mrers,  lower  right, 

mf anted  b\  soldiers, 

CASCA. 

Wait!  wait!  thou'rt  caught  at  last! 

BERENICE. 

We  have  persuaded  her  that  it  is  best 

To  give  herself  to  thee. 

CASCA. 

Most  timely  hath  she  been  persuaded, 

When  the  last  escape  is  closed. 

BERENICE. 
191J       Your  >tar  i-  rising,  Casca;  you  '11  remember  me? 

CASCA. 
My  gratitude  shall  be  proportioned  to  yourown  deserts. 

BERENICE. 
Then  know  that  Titu-  le  your  prisoner; 

That  Varro  just  now  led  him  off, 
in  lent  ius  is  the  oth<  r;  both  are  in  disguise. 
This  information  clears  your  way  of  every  obstacle. 

CASCA. 
Have  Varro  bring  bis  prisoners  back. 

If  and  two  soldiers  go  out \  upper 'left. 

Withdraw  !  forbid  the  entrance  here  of  any  one; 
'93°  Heed  not  w  hat  passes  in  this  hall! 

■ant  all  eaeeept  CASCA  and  U\  I  A.  BBKMNICB  and  MAR- 

ippet    r,<nr  rflentshes  the  tkmilder- 

•  e  wmtkhm*  been  growing  from  the  embers  left  byfuyt- 

LIVIA. 

I  see  into  the  depths  of  thy  remorseless  heart; 
I  know  the  full  design  of  thy  far  reaching  perfidy; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS,        «? 

•93J  But  happily  I  know  that  Casca's  hand 

And  Casca's  superstition  murder  me, 

And  not  my  husband's.   Fate, 

Through  some  mischance,  hath  given  thee  the  power 

To  put  in  execution  thy  fell  purposes; 

But  Casca,  now  I  warn  thee, 

Stay  the  course  of  thy  unbridled  passion, 

Lest  upon  the  summit  of  thy  greatness  and  thy  might. 

The  force  of  thy  tempestuous  rise, 

Shall  fling  thee  o'er  the  peak, 
Into  the  stony  lap  of  waiting  death. 

CASCA. 

The  altar  is  made  ready. 

LIVIA. 

Sir;i.p|     A  cry  comes  from 
I  r  1  K  e  1     //«.  infant,  within. 

CASCA. 

I946  Return !  return !  The  several  persons  reenter. 

What  noise  was  that? 

SEXTUS. 

We  do  not  know. 

The  infant,  in  MARTHA'S  arms,  cries  a- 
gain.  HYPOKRA  TES  enters,  lower  right. 

CASCA. 

Whose  child  is  this?  You  Avill  not  tell?      To  the  women. 
Hypokrates ,  whose  child  is  this? 

HYPOKRATES. 

My  art  is  so  bound  up  in  divination  of  momentous  deeds 

That  I  have  time  for  no  such  trifles,  sire,  as  this; 

I  paint  huge  pictures,  not  small  signs. 

CASCA. 

But  if  this  child  is  proven  Livia's,  will  the  gods  be  pleased 
'955  To  have  me  offer  it  and  spare  its  mother? 

HYPOKRA  TBS  takes  two  doves  from  his  breast. 

HYPOKRATES. 

Sire,  the  omens  are  most  favorable  to  this  procedure, 


88  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

Offer  up  the  infant,  then  await  a  further  portent 

For  the  mother's  disposition,  which  1  think  will  be, 

The  w  ay  to  please  the  gods  the  best  of  all. 

BERENICE  moves  away. 

CASCA. 

Stay  Berenice,  tell  me  one  thing  more,  whose  child  is  this? 

BERENICE. 
I'm  done!  Unfortunate  hour  that  claimed  the  noble  Aulus! 
Opportunity  a  second  time,  intrudes  upon  thy  dreams; 
1963  Unwelcome  \  i>it<  >r !  unready  hostl 

Irresolution,  thou  art  doomed  to  failure! 
Heavily  the  urate>  of  Rome  shall  close  upon  me. 

Wearisome  the  y  turney  hence.         L'^Lw/rrffi*. 

CASCA. 
Whose  child  i>  tlii-?   You  will  not  tell? 

lie  lakes  li.  ■:    M.I  A  ill  A  and  at  hi!  motion 

j    inl/e  through  i. 

LIVIA. 

The  child  i<  mine. 

MARTHA. 

She  seek-  to  shield  me  from  your  anger, 

I'll  admit  the  child  is  mine. 

LIVIA. 

Tlie  child  i:-  truly  mine. 

CASCA. 

Tin-  thing  i-  well  BUpplied  with  mothers  now. 

1973  I  must  End  out  u  hose  child  it  i-.  ,y,7 

Your  wagging  tongues  may  lie  hut  on  my  honor 

II  -timony  not  t<>  be  denied. 

With  j     ujjen  motion  he  lean  open 
1.1  VI A'S  dress,  strike 

This  withered  hag,  let  her  be  crucified  for  her  deceit. 

(  rive  me  this  mooted  babel  *Lui4%. 

Hypokrates,  we'll  offer  up  this  infant  in  the  public  view, 

And  then  the  woman,  thus  to  finally  appease 

The  great  displeasure  of  the  gods. 

Let  her  be  crucified! 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        * 

LIVIA. 

1982  How  fearful  is  this  penalty! 

How  slight  the  provocation! 
Casca,  wait,  consider— 

CASCA. 

Let  the  woman  die! 

LIVIA. 

Oh  pitiless  and  wanton  arbiter! 
What  ruin  shall  appal  thee? 
What  extremity  of  desolation  shall  appease  thy  appetite? 
What  punishment  can  Fate  apportion  to  thy  infamy? 

MARTHA. 

1990        God's  will  is  manifest  in  every  word  and  deed, 

In  nature's  every  act;  would  you  implore  the  flood, 

Or  bear  resentment  'gainst  the  shrivelling  flame? 

His  hidden  purposes  they  mutely  serve; 

His  will  is  not  opposed  by  thy  command. 

My  life  is  freely  His. 

Exit  MARTHA  in  custody,  upper  left. 

LIVIA. 

Casca!  Casca!  Casca!  give  me  back  the  boy, 
Oh  spare  his  innocence  and  I  will  build  the  altar  up  again, 
I  '11  fan  the  flame  and  plead  with  you  to  hurry  through  the  rites ; 
1999  I  '11  turn  the  knife  upon  myself, 

And  as  you  search  me  for  the  omens, 

I  will  beg  the  gods  to  bless  you  with  their  favors. 

Casca!  let  me  kiss  him  once,  once  more,  my  little  Numa! 

Thesoldiers  hold  LIVIA.  Exit  CASCA,  lower  right,  with  the  in- 
fant: HYPOKRATES  and  some  of  the  soldiers  following:  The 
soldiers  remaining  arrange  themselves  about  the  several  entrances . 

Oh  Numa!  Numa!  Numa!  ^sR?oweS4ighi. 

Narcissa! 

NARCISSA. 
Kill  me  Livia!  end  lemorse! 
Oh  let  me  feel  that  I  have  answered 
2007       For  the  sorrows  I  have  heaped  upon  you,  love. 


9° 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


LIVIA. 

Are  you  to  blame? 

NARCISSA. 

I  have  betrayed  you, 
Brought  you  from  the  safe  recesses  of  the  passageways. 

LIVIA. 

3oii  They've  taken  Xuma  for  a  sacrifice. 

NARCISSA. 

He 's  gone  to  lift  the  child  upon  a  spear, 

To  show  the  mob  hou  he's  appeased  the  gods. 

I  thought  when  I  persuaded  you.  it  wa>  for  safet>  *S  Sake, 

For  Casca  made  most  honied  promises, 

And  swore  with  many  an  oath  that  his  anxiety  for  you 

Was  caused  by  love  and  ho]>e  of  safety  for  you  both. 

( ii\e  me  the  knife  I 

And  let  me  drown  remorse 

With  blood  in  retribution  shed! 

<  >h  let  me  teach  this  monster  how 

jojj  To  fallow  in  the  paths  of  treachery  I 

<  >h  let  me  teach  him  how  revenge 

1-  fathered  by  injustice, 

HOW  destruction  from  destruction  gathers  power, 
How  deceit  brings  forth  deceit, 

And  desolation  answers  desolation's  call. 

VAAC/SSA  V,     Inlet    uf.-er  :<-rt.  i'ARRO  an 

~,AUDBNT1US.    LIVIA,  tejor 
the  tmfiuvtum,  u  uee: 

GAUDENTIUS. 

Take  comfort;  Martha  saw  us  as  she  passed, 
2039  And  she  goes  bravely  to  her  great  reward. 

tinier  SEXTUS  and  two  lolditrs,  lower  rigk 

VARRO. 
Who  knows  the  emperor's  commands? 

SEXTUS. 

The  emperor  direct 
That  one  of  these  your  prisoners  be  executed, 
While  the  other  one  goes  free;  the  woman, 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 


9' 


She  shall  be  delivered  to  the  populace, 
J035  And  burned  for  their  amusement. 

Titus  is  the  prisoner  to  die,  Gaudentius  is  to  live. 
The  emperor  directs  that  you  acknowledge  his  command. 

VARRO. 

Is  one  of  them  the  Flavian  prince? 
Go  Quintus,  tell  the  emperor  I  have  his  wish, 

And  it  shall  be  my  deed.  itfSBWSE 

But  these  are  bearded  men. 

SEXTUS. 

Oh  that  need  not  delay  the  execution  of  the  guilty  one. 

He  pulls  off  their  beards. 

VARRO. 

But  which  is  Titus? 

SEXTUS. 

*m  You  should  know. 

VARRO. 

I  don't  see  how?  Gaudentius'  name  I  never  heard  before, 
And  I  am  newly  come  to  Rome. 

SEXTUS. 

But  you  and  I  have  fought  in  Titus'  ranks, 

And  we  should  know  our  old  commander's  face. 

Methinks  that  this  is  Titus. 

VARRO. 

No!  no,  this  is  he! 

SEXTUS. 

You  are  mistaken, 
This  is  Titus;  know  I  not  that  brow? 

SEXTUS  and   TITUS  are  on  the  left.    SEXTUS 
purposely  contends  that  GA  UDENTWS  is  T/TUS. 

VARRO. 
i053  And  know  I  not  these  heavy  jaws? 

SEXTUS. 

You  but  a  moment  since  declared  you  could  not  tell. 


9' 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


VARRO. 

But  that 's  too  old  a  man. 

SEXTUS. 

Nay,  Titus,  sir,  is  thirty  nine. 

VARRO. 

Let 's  kill  them  both  and  thus  make  sure. 

SEXTUS. 

Make  sure  we  would  of  execution  for  ourselves. 

Gaudentius  is  the  architect,  he  builds  the  Colosseum,  yonder; 

Casoa  would  make  little  bits  of  us.  if  we  harmed  him. 

VARRO, 

We  might  delay  until--- 

SEXTUS. 
jo6j  His  orders  were  explicit; 

When  h>  spoke  he  struck  his  hand. 

VARRO. 

Stav!  Livia  is  Titu>'  wife,  and  Bhe  shall  tell  us. 

Woman!  Guards,  make  ready! 

Woman,  you  w  ill  now  go  forth  to  death; 
So  loss  sour  husband,  say  farewell, 
And  waste  no  time  in  tears. 

LIVIA. 

I  thank  you.   Titus. 

lie  turn!  from  her. 
-1  1 >■  He  fushts  her  away. 

Titus,  in  the  hour  of  death 

You  turn  away,  you  ]>u>h  me  off, 

Tear  out  the  very  tendrils  of  affection, 

Let  me  fall  to  wither  and  a  >nsume, 

To  vanish  like  a  broken  vine  upon  the  flame, 

1076  Oh  Titus,  have  I  lost  your  love? 

7  et  ■  /.       slums,  after  she  is 

\L  enters,  middle  right,  and  stands,  in  specula~ 

j.'her  near   (he  .entre. 

TITUS. 

I  am  ready,  sirs,  to  die. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

GAUDENTIUS. 

Nay,  I  am  Titus;  I  will  not  allow 
This  man  to  sacrifice  himself  when  I  care  naught  for  life. 

VARRO. 

2080  The  woman  told  us,  as  I  thought  she  'd  do. 

SEXTUS. 

Oh  simple  Varro,  she  had  heard  our  argument;  she  kissed  the 
man  who's  not  her  husband,  so,  to  now  outwit  her,  we  must 
kill  the  other  one. 

VARHO. 

Oh  simple  Sextus,  thinking  to  outwit  a  woman's  wit!  She 
knew  we'd  say  that  we  must  kill  the  other  one,  and  so  she 
kissed  her  husband,  knowing  that  we  would  destroy  the 
other  one;  and  therefore  we  must  kill  the  one  she  kissed. 

SEXTUS. 

Oh  much  more  simple  Varro,  she  did  know  that  after  we  had 
said:  "She  kissed  the  man  who's  not  her  husband, "  we'd 
reflect  that  she  had  truly  kissed  her  husband,  thus  to  put 
us  off  the  trail.  She  knew  we  then  would  see  her  subtlety, 
and  so  to  get  the  better  of  us  when  we  had,  she  kissed  the 
one  who's  not  her  husband;  now,  to  £  nally  come  out  ahead, 
it  doth  behoove  us  to  despatch  the  other  one. 

VARRO. 

Oh  Sextus!  Sextus!  see  you  not  that  she  knew  we  would  know 
all  this,  and  knowing  we  would  know  that  she  knew  we 
would  know,  she  knew  we'd  know....  Sextus,  which  of  us 
can  be  the  greater  fool? 

SEXTUS. 

2099  Undoubtedly  yourself. 

VARRO. 
Nay!  nay!  she  kissed  her  husband,  since  she  knows  she  is  to 
live.    With  Titus  dead,  her  path  to  Pliny's  house  will  be 
much  straiter  than  it  is  just  now. 


»  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

SEXTUS. 

Ah  Varro,  knowing  we  knew  this,  she  kissed  Gaudentius, 
thinking  we  would  think  that  if  she  kissed  her  husband 
truly,  we  would  think  her  subtle,  and  awkwardly  destroy 
her  husband's  counterpart.  It  doth  behoove  us  much  to 
let  our  wishes  flow  with  hers  and  kill  the  other  man. 

VARRO. 

Ah  ha!  I  have  thee  Seztus,  now!  A  moment  since  you  said  she 
wished  her  husband  spared,  and  therefore  did  just  what 
she  did;  and  now  you  say  in  wishing  Titus  dead,  she  did 
just  what  she  did;  which  latter  thing  is  just  exactly  what 
she  did  in  scheming  for  his  preservation.  How  then  can 
you  -ay  that  she  would  act  the  ^alnc,  from  reasons  so  op- 
posed. 

SEXTUS. 
Ah  ha!  I  have  thee  Seztus,  uowl  Why  you  yourself  at  first  de- 
clared she  kissed  her  husband  to  deceive  us,  then  you  said 
she  kissed  him  BO  that  we  would  not  \>v  fooled  and  now  you 
turn  on  me  with  triumph  in  youreye  for  saying  she  would 
ait  the  -ame  from  different  motives  when  your  own  asser- 
tions of  equivalent  effect  are  scarcely  cold  upon  your  lips. 

VARRO. 
a ji  I  give  a  woman  up. 

SEXTUS. 
There's  nothing  else  for  any  man  to  do. 

VARRO. 
We  have  not  carried  out  his  order-  yet. 

SEXTUS. 
We'll  toss  a  coin  and  let  the  fate.-  decide. 

VARRO. 
I  hear  you  talk. 

SEXTUS. 

If  heads,  this  man  is  Titus, 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        95 

1137         Tails,  and  this  man  here  is  not  friend  Titus. 

He  lint  points  to  GAUDBNTIUS.  then  to 
TIT  I 'S.    I  '■>  RRO  Joes  not  notice  the  quibble. 

Heads!  So  this  is  Titus! 

VARRO. 

Destiny  hath  shortened  thy  allotted  span, 
But  happily  for  thee  her  call  comes  not  before  thy  readiness. 

.•//  his  motion  the  soldiers  rather  about  GAUDBN- 
TIUS and  presently  leave  him  dead  upon  the  couch. 

Let  us  announce  the  news  that  Casca  now 
Holds  undisputed  sway,  that  all  the  Flavians  are  dead. 

Exeunt   VARRO  and  soldiers,  upper  right. 

SEXTUS. 

Ah  TitUS  I  His  courage  ebbs. 

TITUS. 

Thou  art  now  a  Roman  general. 

SEXTUS. 
2135  If  Casca  wins? 

TITUS. 

No!  Sextus,  no!  That  shall  he  never  do! 

Give  me  your  armor  and  your  sword, 

And  tremble  not,  that  failure  was  at  hand; 

The  gods  did  put  you  here  to  meet  this  danger, 

Knowing  you  alone  could  face  the  peril  of  the  hour. 

But  Sextus,  there  are  legions  full  of  younger  brothers 

To  yourself,  beyond  the  gates  of  Rome,  and  in  Rome,  too, 

And  we  shall  show  this  boy  how  wars  are  waged, 

And  battles  won  and  lost! 

Go  down  into  the  streets  and  guide  the  cohorts  of  my  friends; 

For  Trajan  now  must  have  the  city  guard  well  on  the  way. 

With  this  brave  armor  buckled  on,  each  finger  feels  a  legion; 

Single  handed  I  could  meet  a  company, 

And  with  ten  such  men  as  Sextus 

1150  I  could  overcome  an  army 

Of  the  traitors  Casca  leads ! 

Exeunt   TITUS  and  SEXTUS.  upper  right  and  utter 
left.  J UVENAL approaches  thebody  of  GAUDENTIUS. 


* 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


The  fecond  folvloquie  of  Dccimus  Junius  Juventlvs. 

Good  friend  of  Rome,  thou  too,  hast  paid 

The  final  penalty;  thy  life  hath  answered 

To  the  -Urn  demands  of  circumstance; 

Levelled  by  the  great  equation  down  with 

Nero's  dust  and  these  fast  stiffening  wings, 

No  better  now,  n<>  worse  than  they; 

Thro-  grains  of  sand  upon  the  fearful  stretches 

( >f  eternity.   <  Mi  worthy  man,  who  stood  a  hero  but 

A  moment  gone,  who  lies  neglected  now  forevermore, 

*     uld  those  dull  eyes  Hash  forth  a  ii     . 

Could  those  set  lips  give  out  a  cry, 

My  friend,  what  wouldst  thou  Bay? 

Wouldst  thou  not  rue  the  impulse 

Which  hath  brought  thee  down? 

The  foolish  thought  that  sacrifice 

Had  knocked  upon  thy  door? 

The  foolish  dream  that  men  would  care? 

The  world  heeds  not.  nor  hath  a  feeling  left, 

For  those  who  fall.    It  hold-  no  helping  hand 

« <ut  to  the  swimmer  Bpent,  it  lifts 

No  crushing  burden  from  the  sinking  hack,  nors] 

The  feeble  youth  upon  hie  unaccustomed  way. 

It  .  ate  (tout  -"ul  and  roughly  throws  the  husk  aside, 

It  knows  not  you  have  lived  and  cares  not  you  havedil 

A  turmoil;  hateful,  noisy; 

Flies  a  buzzing  in  their  busy  orbits, 

sing  not,  insensate,  mercil 
( »h  costly  dead,  these  fretful  miseries  thou  hast 

t  behind;  I  g  on  a  splendid  summit, 

1'..:  above  the  trivial  doings  ol  the  multitude, 
The  meaningli  --  and  rapid  circles  of  the  Benselesscrow 

JL'l'l  -lirovi'H  a  robe  over  the  body      A  not  ,e.  nil  hi* 

i:\AI..  lower  right    lintrr  a  mod.  w 

1.1  \  ,  'v  I'AAAO  jnd  a  feu  idle  totdu 


of  TITUS  FLAVIU5. 


The  FIRST  PLEBIAN. 
Here!  here!  we'll  burn  her  here! 


{A  young  man.) 


The  SECOND  PLEBIAN.  KAn  oldcr  „,„„., 

So  bind  her  quick  and  bring1, 
Dry  boughs  from  far  and  near. 

The  THIRD  PLEBIAN.  {A„  aged  „,,„., 

Pile  up  the  wood,  a  ring! 

Oh  what  a  lovely  sight, 

To  see  her  body,  white, 

Grow  black  with  fire  and  sear! 

And  sear!  and  sear!  and  sear! 

His  voice  is  shrill  and  his 
speeches  end  with  a  shrie  I. 

The  FIRST  PLEBIAN. 
Tear  off  her  rags,  her  rags! 

She  has  been  bound  to  the  lower  left  tost  of  the 
impluvium.  They  pull  her  sleeves  off  and  tear 
her  clothing  where  it  is  not  protected  by  the  ropes. 

The  SECOND  PLEBIAN. 

191  Oh  give  me  here  a  stick, 

To  draw  the  rope,  it  sags. 

The  THIRD  PLEBIAN. 

Oh  bring  a  torch,  quick,  quick! 

For  ere  the  brewing  storm, 
With  clouds  hath  time  to  form, 

She  dies  the  death  of  hags, 
Of  hags!  of  hags!  of  hags! 

The  FIRST  PLEBIAN. 

Bring  on  more  pine  and  oak! 

VARRO. 

Take  care,  this  hall  with  fire 
You  '11  stain,  and  black  with  smoke. 

The  SECOND  PLEBIAN. 
1201  Herein  shall  be  her  pyre, 

This  post  her  monument. 


98  Th<  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

The  THIRD  PLEBIAN. 

To  hell  she  shall  be  sent, 

And  in  the  smoke  she'll  choke; 

And  choke!  and  choke!  and  choke! 

The  FIRST  PLEBIAN. 
She  killed  her  babe,  her  own. 

The  SECOND  PLEBIAN. 
Anil  broke  her  sacred  oath; 
So  let  her  moan  and  moan. 

The  THIRD  PLEBIAN. 
She'll  answer  now  for  both! 
The  torch!  the  torch!  the  torch! 
iJIJ  (  Mi  lei  her  acorch  and  scorch, 

And  cry  aloud  and  gTOan, 

.And  groan!  and  groan!  and  groan! 

tinier   TITUS,  uffer  left 
TITUS. 

Away!  away!  away!  w  fools  and  madmen! 
Stand,  yea  stand,  and  meet 

The  fierce  displeasure  of  the  emperor! 

Y<  Bpasian  lives  and  Titus  was  not  slain; 

Here  from  the  portico  you  see  them  BWeeping  up  the  hill. 

The  upstart  Casca,  like  a  dog,  lies  dying  m  the  sun. 

Away!  away!  to  meet  and  honor  their  return! 

/  he  mob  goes  out.  uf-fer  left. 

LIVIA. 
222a  Oh  let  us  seek  the  shelter  of  our  friends. 

TITUS. 
Doth  safety  lie  in  Pliny's  house? 

LIVIA. 
I  fear  the  mob's  return. 

TITUS. 

Unfaithful  woman,  well  you  may, 

For  when  it  comes  again, 

It  coims  in  anger  to  destroy  us  both; 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

*"3  And  welcome  shall  its  fury  be. 

Enter  NARCISSA.  middle  right, 

NARCISSA. 

Why  stay  you  here?  The  mob  comes  back! 

The  trick  was  worthy  of  a  fruitful  mind  and  well  it  worked; 

But  now  you  idly  stand  and  let  these  moments, 

Gifted  with  long  years  slip  by! 

Think  you  no  more  of  life,  nor  of  revenge? 

For  Casca  hath  accomplished  his  design, 

And  on  a  spear  I  saw  the  infant  borne. 

TITUS. 

My  son  hath  been  discovered? 

NARCISSA. 

Yea,  and  murdered! 

TITUS. 

Woman!  could  you  not  have  spared  the  boy? 
Was 't  not  enough  to  plot  against  the  peace  of  Rome? 
2240        Against  my  father's  life?  Against  my  honor? 
Was  it  not  enough  to  leave  thy  husband's  house? 

NARCISSA. 
Stop!  stop!  a  monster,  thou, 
To  hold  suspicion  up  to  her, 
To  virtue's  last  embodiment. 

TITUS. 

Her  last  indeed,  for  with  this  failure, 
Virtue's  inconceivable  attempt  to  form  a  woman 
With  her  own  perfections,  in  despair  is  given  up. 

LIVIA. 

Oh  Titus ,  thus  you  hold  me  in  your  high  regard, 
And  thus  you  cast  reproach  when  I  am  guiltless,  love. 

NARCISSA. 
2250  Escape!  escape!  the  mob  returns! 

I  see  the  distant  dust  of  friendly  hoofs, 
A  moment's  safety  and  the  danger's  past! 


-The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

TITUS. 

You  see  the  distant  dust  of  friendly  hoofs  indeed, 

For  swiftly  do  they  fly  from  Rome. 

The  day  is  lost,  my  love  is  bitten  and  my  courage  gone; 

The  growing  aoises  of  the  vengeful  mob, 

Fall  sweetly  on  my  ears; 

Th..v   nrnmiee  mn,-h  BaterSBXTUS,  V 

j.ne\  promis-e  mu<  n.       and  tie  nut,  on  t* 

The  FIRST  PLEBIAN. 

"59  He's  here  upon  the  spot! 

Ttirv  bind    TITUS  A'  tJic  tower   rirht  imflnriwi 
TVS'  n. 
identity  j> . 

The  SECOND  PLEBIAN. 
The  lying  knave,  I  think 
We'll  send  him  on  a  ti 

TheTHIUDPLEEIAN. 

With  her  to  bell  to  stink, 

And  w  rithe  and  curse,  so  haste, 

Ami  give  them  here  a  taste, 

<  >f  fire,  and  smoke  th.it  'a  hot! 

That's  hot!  that's  hot!  that'.-  hot! 

Em:  ;  tnttJ by  iJlJitrs    ' 

YARRO. 
Most  august  empi  ror,  xnc  us  leave 
To  burn  the-  I  here. 

CASCA. 

We'll  watch  the  -port  ourseli 

NARCISSA 
Jj;o  Oh  *.  are  the  gods  not  satisfied? 

A  noilt  tf  distant  koofteat*.  within, 

VARRO. 

What  noise  is  that? 

CASCA. 

The  thunder  rolls,  proceed! 
The  rain  will  quench  your  Ore. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIU3. 

VARRO.  '::•.::•• 

Pile  up  the  wood  and  bring  a  torch! 

»*  '    *    •     » •  •  • , 

NARCISSA.  • 

2175  You  promised  me. 

VARRO. 
Methinks  I  hear  that  noise  again. 

EnterJUVE.XAL,  upper  right. 

JUVENAL. 

And  so  you  do! 

Ten  cohorts  of  the  faithful  horse, 

Come  coursing  down  the  Appian  way! 

Now  Casca,  call  thy  traitors  to  thy  aid, 

For  in  this  hour  you  face  destruction  and  defeat. 

The  loyal  troops  are  sweeping  home!   He  waves  his  robe. 

CASCA. 
Bring  up  the  legions,  let  the  first  three  turn  the  flank, 
2284       And  trap  this  group  of  horsemen  in  the  street. 

Exeunt  several  soldiers 

JUVENAL. 

Oh  Casca,  bid  your  men  desist!  Rush  not  to  death, 
But  make  your  peace  with  Titus  while  you  can. 

CASCA. 

Old  dotard,  you  endanger  life,  with  such  advice. 

JUVENAL. 

Think  not  to  frighten  me,  young  Casca; 

Know  that  Stoics  such  as  I, 

Fear  not  the  gods  themselves,  much  less  the  puny  man, 

Who  hath  no  stronger  threat  to  make  than  merely  death. 

TRAJAN  enters,  upper  right,  followed  by  many  soldiers 

TRAJAN. 

Stand!  Casca  Lentullus; 
In  Caesar's  name  I  take  thee  into  custody; 
2294  Release  his  wife  and  offer  no  resistance, 

At  the  peril  of  thy  life. 


-The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

CASCA. 

And  have  you  warrant,  Trajan,  to  arrest  a  legion? 

TRAJAN. 
Ten  of  them,  if  they  have  proved  themselves 

Unworthy  of  the  honor  Rome  bestows  upon  their  heado, 
In  making  them  her  warriors. 

CASCA. 
J3°°  You  say  you  haw  authority  from  Titus? 

TRAJAN. 
Ave  and  from  Vespasian,  too. 

CASCA. 

Then  IS  your  warrant  void; 

For  I.  bj  right  of  arms,  am  now  become 

S  cundus  Casca  Lentullus  Augustus,  Emperor  of  Rome, 

And  all  commands  and  orders  relative  to  Rome, 

And  to  the  government  of  all  the  world, 

Must  eminate  from  me,  and  no  one  else. 

Send  back  your  nun  from  Rome, 

3309  The  proclamation  hath  been  made, 

That  Casca  now  is  emperor; 

For  Titus  Flavius  lies 

In  yonder  sand  pit,  dead. 

SEXTUS. 
Wait!  Casca!  wait!  what  man  is  this, 
If  he  be  not  the  noble  Titus  Flavius,  sir 

SBXTUSi  Tktyfitfl  hack.  Atileuco  onrm 

TRnJAN. 
How  have  you  dared  this  ignominious  usage? 

VARRO  it  shout  to  apply  tlu  torch, 

SEXTUS. 
Varro,  when  hath  Titus  been  unjust  to  you? 
Doth  b(  deserve  this  death,  that  you  should 
3318  With  such  baste  apply  the  torch? 

VARRO. 
Why  S     "        vou  did  just  now  gamble  with  me  for  hi<=  life. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

SEXTUS. 

I  tricked  you  then  and  saved  him, 

For  I  played  the  traitor's  part  but  lived  it  not; 

And  you  have  told  your  friend  that  Titus  hath  been  killed, 

But  now  he  sees  that  Titus  lives,  and  when  he's  dead, 

What  will  protect  poor  Varro  from 

*3^5  This  new  made  god's  revenge? 

Desert  the  traitor! 
Call  upon  your  friends  and  Titus  will  forgive,     a  sUmct. 

CASCA. 

You  see  that  Varro  is  a  man  of  wisdom,  do  you  not? 
He  hath  no  liking  for  a  sinking  ship; 
Nor  none  of  you,  methinks,  are  Titus'  friends; 
You  fear  the  fellow. 

TRAJAN. 

Insolence! 

TITUS. 
J333       Subdue  your  swords  my  friends,  I  wish  to  die. 

TRAJAN. 

Then  let  us  die  together  fighting,  as  all  Roman  soldiers  should. 

TITUS. 

I  wish  my  friends  to  live. 

CASCA. 

And  Titus,  I,  in  memory  of  old  favors  done, 

Will  give  them  all  an  opportunity: 

Lay  down  your  arms  and  call  me  emperor, 

And  you  shall  live  in  peace. 

TRAJAN. 

Doth  this  include  Vespasian  and  the  greedy  son,  Domitian, 
Just  now  fled  with  half  the  gold  in  Rome?        *£_££?,* 

TITUS. 

Stay  Trajan,  seek  not  with  such  fervent  deeds, 
To  bind  yourself  to  me;  I  wish  to  die, 
23.44  And  Casca  now  hath  made  an  offer, 


«*Thc  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

Which  I  hope  my  friends  will  not  reject. 

Lucretius,  thou  whose  brother  led 

A  desperate  charge  against  Jerusalem; 

Sextus,  thou  whose  brother  died 

A  soldier'.-  d<  ath  \\  ithin  those  well  defended  walls; 

You  seasoned  veterans, 

Who  have  tramped  with  me  in  man;  a  hard  campaign, 

It'  I  have  left  a  vestige  of  my  former  power, 

I  here  command  you,  friends  and  comrades  all, 

To  live  and  hinder  not 

J355  The  death  of  him  whose  part  is  played. 

VARRO. 
A  horseman  comes! 

TRAJAN. 

We'll  let  him  come  and  let  him  go;  another  sti  pi 

VAX  A  :hefyrt. 

JUVENAL 
Why  Titus,  must  you  waste  your  life? 
higher  debt  to  Rome  than  to  your  own  desir 

Inl,  ■ 

TRAJAN. 
Think  not,  because  the  weak  Praetorian  Guards 

J361  1  Live  proven  false,  th.it  all  tin-  armies 

the  empire  have  become  his  friend-! 

TACITUS. 
I-  this  the  emperor? 

SEXTUS. 
II.  hath  command)  d  us  to  let  him  die; 
II.  .  -  his  country  hot  by  leaving  it. 

TRAJAN. 

The  fifteenth  and  the  fifth. 

"Why  they  would  gladly  die  for  him! 

The  Gallic,  Cythian,  Celtic  and  Illyrian  legions, 

2369  All  are  your-;  the  Pontic  troops, 

The  Dacian  ami  <  icrmanie  veterans,  faithful  to  a  man! 
Have  you  no  news  to  alter  hi-  determination? 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.       .* 

Speak  1 

SEXTUS. 

Withhold  thy  news  no  longer. 

TRAJAN. 

Speak. 

TACITUS. 

J375  It  chokes  me  quite  when  added  to  it 

I  find  Titus  bound. 

JUVENAL 

He's  bound  to  die. 

TACITUS. 

Old  jester,  some  day  you  will  crack 

The  last  lash  of  your  scornful  whip; 

This  hour  we  lay  aside  our  jokes  and  bow  our  heads, 

For  one  who  's  laughed  at  many  a  point  of  thine; 

Go  to  him  now,  recall  thy  keenest  thrust, 

And  in  thy  choicest  vein  retell  the  tale, 

And  see  if  thou  canst  move  to  smiles  those  setting  lips. 

-3^5  Oh  Titus,  gird  your  courage  up! 

Your  father,  good  Vespasian,  's  dead  in  his  Sabine  home  at  last. 

Arriving  there,  he  took  his  bed,  received  his  officers, 

Attended  to  the  business  left;  and  sinking  back, 

He  felt  the  chill  of  dissolution  in  his  veins ; 

Then,  rising  up,  he  called  his  friends,  and  with  these  words: 

"A  Roman  emperor  should  die  erect,  " 

Your  noble  father's  spirit  passed  away. 

TRAJAN. 

Now  Titus,  you  are  emperor! 
Your  word  is  universal  law. 

CASCA. 

Apply  the  torch! 

NARCISSA. 
*3&  Oh  Casca!  wait! 


*Thc  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

Hath  Titus  here  not  shown  himself  a  worthy  Roman? 

He  hath  offered  you  his  life  to  saw  his  friends, 

When,  as  the  lightning  rives  the  oak, 

A  word  would  split  your  green  conspiracy. 

But  you  can  prove  yourself  possessed  of  more 

Than  even  his  nobilitj  : 

Acknowledge  his  supremacy  again, 

H°-1      And  by  this  restoration  of  his  power  and  dignity, 
You'll  gain  the  blessings  of  your  countrymen, 
The  long  respect  of  coming  ages; 
You  will  overtop  his  fame  for  all  eternity; 
And  history  shall  not  forget  the  splendid  gift.        uighf. 
Remember  then  the  many  promises  vou've  made  to  me, 
And  look  upon  your  sister  and  repent  your  deeds  in  time. 

Ill  ilriMn  her. 

CASCA. 

away!  j >„lrr hypokratis.  i^u>,r r •«/,!. 

HYPOKRATES. 
I  will  see  Caaca  Lentullusl 
H'3  Good  emperor,  Btop  this  burning  here! 

CASCA. 
:  will  depends  no  more  on  mystic  and  capricious  augury; 
The  weight  .if  our  displeasure  BOOIl  shall  fall 
1  rpon  the  foolish  mortals  w  ho  opposed  our  rise; 

Include  yourself  among  the  doomed,  by  further  prophecy. 

HYPOKRATES. 
DesUt!  desist!  th<  d  birds  have  twice  refused  to  eat! 

CASCA. 

Th.re  B0W8  the  tawny  Tili.r; 

Break  their  wings  and  throw  them  in. 

For  since  they  will  not  eat  why  let  them  drink. 

Wu„  n  HYPOKR  \Tl 

... 

And  throw  tb<  n  t"  keep  them  company; 

For  thus  I  cast  awa)  all  supernatural  aids! 
3^1^  1  fear  no  more  the  gods  ! 

The  world  i-  mine! 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.       -» 

NARCISSA. 
3426  Then  Casca,  ruling  all,  be  merciful. 

//••  pushes  her  roughfy  away.  She  stabs  him  as  he  turns  to  light  the 
fire.  His  stvord  oetng  in  his  hand  hi  bills  her,  and  at  his  motion 
the  soldiers  carry  her  dodv  out,  tower  left.  The  torchy  fallen 
from  his  hand,  has  £one  out.    He  stands  as  if  uninjured. 

TACITUS. 

She  loved  thee  once,  she  loved  thee  Casca,  once. 

CASCA  reels  slightly. 

SEXTUS. 

Oh  Varro!  Varro!  friend,  complete  the  work! 

CASCA  recovers  himself  and  a  silence  ensues.  He  reels  and  falls 
to  his  knees  but  rises  with  the  extinguished  torch  in  his  hands, 
having  dropped  his  sword. 

CASCA. 

A  torch .  a  torch !  He  sees  tnat  nme  can  be  had_ 

A  torch!  no!  no! 
Not  all  the  gods  shall  choke  me  down! 

Blood  issues  from  his  mouth.  He  stabs  at  TITUS  with  the  torch 
but  VARRO  thrusts  him  through  from  the  side  and  his  partisans 
rush  on  his  sinking  form  and  kill  him. 

A  GENERAL  CRY. 

Hi1  Titus!  Titus  Augustus!  Emperor! 

Tktcryis  repeated  in  the  street.  The  ropes  are  cut  LUCIA  em- 
braces LTVIA.  TITUS  advances  and  stills  them  with  a  ges- 
ture. 


osThc  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


The  accefsion  of  Titus  Flavius  Sabinus  Vefpafianus. 

Since  it  hath  pleased  the  gods  to  call  us  on 
The  scene  again,  our  duty  now  shall  best  he  done, 
By  coaxing  hack  the  frightened  wings  of  peace, 
With  every  mranstli.it  shall  expedient  seem: 
Another  bosom,  Trajan,  should  be  searched. 
Take  up  the  dead;  show  honors  to  them  both; 
The  one  deserves  the  plaudits  of  the  world. 
And  poorly  will  they  paj  him  for  his  sacrifice; 
The  other  needs  whatever  shows  in  charity 
May  be  accorded  him.  Recover  all  the  dead, 

Who  in  this  needless  hour  have  Keen  mowed  down; 
With  garlands  deck'  the  woman  just  now  carried  off. 
R<  cover,  too,  the-  body  of  an  infant  home  upon  a  spez 
1  [ave  messengers  sent  out  to  overtake  the  news, 

Lest  all  the  country  be  in  tumult  thrown; 

Recall  our  brother,  praising  his  economy  and  thrift. 

To  warn  all  men  against  the  evils  of  unchecked  amhitio 

We  shall  think  it  l>est,  in  justice  to  the  state, 

To  utterly  destroy  the  la>t  of  these  disturbing  elemea 
Who  Bought  to  rise  upon  her  desolation, 

Who  would  thriftih  have  followed  in  the  wake  of  ruin 

Fattening  on  misfortune  and  distress. 

And  therefore,  in  the  name  of  lasting  peace, 

To  sink  the  admonition  deep,  proceed  now 
To  the  consummation  of  our  disregarded  orders, 
Adding  to  imprisonment,  the  immediate  execution 
i  '!  these  known  and  listed  traitors,  further, 
Confiscate  their  properties  and  add  their  monies 
To  the  public  treasury,  impoverish 
Their  s.  ma  and  daughters  SO  that  no  descendant, 
Pulled  with  wealth  and  idlcm 

Shall  e'er  he  tempted  to  avenge  this  pr<  tper  sentence. 
Cxecute  them  all! 

He  ilnkei  the  fa  T RAJAS  hat  had  the  wilier  lake  fl 

t    jnj  fkt    tlJirrs,  under 
I  /  1  S   J»J    I  ARRO  relirr  in  ordei        1  IT 
and  Ikr  ether i  m  t  cept  LUCIA,  who  gor 

tell.    I.IVIA  is  lei  I  at 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

JUVENAL. 

The  empress,  sire! 

TITUS. 
2'j66  We  have  no  empress,  Juvenal, 

We  take  our  place  upon  the  throne,  unhonored  by  a  wife. 

LIVIA. 

Now  Titus  is  my  heart  made  sick, 

I  love  you  still,  my  love  hath  never  lessened 

Since  the  fortunate  hour  your  unexpected  presence 

Waked  my  heart  to  happiness  immeasurable. 

Forget,  my  husband,  these  quick,  hateful  words, 

Hot  sprung  from  jealous  doubt  and  anger; 

Take  me  in  thy  arms  again. 

TITUS. 

Let  Pliny's  name  be  added  to  the  list. 

TITUS writes  PLINY'S  nam?  upon  the  list  with  his  finger  moist' 
eneJ in  tf  •  blood  stains  of  the  parchment.  Exeunt  all.  upper  right. 
except  LIVIA. 

LIVIA. 

2476  No  wrong!  no  wrong!  I've  ever  done 

To  suffer  such  dishonor. 

Nothing!  nothing!  rests  against  my  soul, 

To  justify  the  shame, 

Which  in  his  wilful  anger  now  he  casts  upon  my  love. 

Yea  Casca,  thou  I  should  have  listened  to; 

The  Hebrew  woman  hath  returned  at  last. 

After  a  silence  LUCIA  enters.,  lower  left. 

LUCIA. 

I  've  brought  you  Numa's  gown. 

LIVIA. 

Take  me  to  the  place! 

LUCIA. 

There's  nothing  left  to  see; 
The  dogs  have  torn  his  little  body— 

LIVIA. 

J^7  Lucia!  Lucia!  come! 


HO 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


The  guards  are  stationed  in  the  halls; 
They  will  not  let  you  out. 

LIVIA. 

Come!  come! 

A  guard  momentarily  appears,  lower  left. 

2-19'  A  prison,  now!  Oh  Numa!  Xuma!  Xuma. 

She  tints  down  on  the  stone  seat  of  the  imptuoium,    LUCIA 
■  ■  tl    bet.     Stir  rises  and  .: 

•      -  '!<•  fiCMS  at   tike  hem  oj  A  I'M  A  'S  raiment  an.: 

her  mind  wan.i  - 

A  pretty  hem,  the  little  flowers  scatter  here  and  there.  Reward 

the  girl.   I'll  have  another  gown  embroidered  soon  it"  this 

one  pleases  him.    I  see  his  precious  fingers  pulling  at  the 

blossoms.  Are  you  sure  the  colors  will  not  fade?  He'll  have 
it  in  his  mouth,  you  know.  Skf  uk„  ,„,  rfbliH  hrr  „,,,.,. 

How  light  you  are!  Yon  should  he  growing  fat ;  these  chilly 

days  were  never  meant  for  thee;  bright  sunshine,  warm  and 

strengthening  will  suit  thee  best.  Asleep,  asleep  my  littleone, 

oh  lie  thee  here  while  mother  watches  for thy  sleeve  I.... 

Thy  gown  is  bloodstained!...  Lucia  I  look !  the  sleeve  is  gone 

She  hat    <fi  rad  the  garment  upon  the  iou.  h   at  the  left  of  the  mi  ■ 
■  m    She  .lut.hr>  at  the  wmitt  gmvn,  out  it  tia>   fallen   ''.m 
hn  ike  has  risen  on  .  i. tains. 

At  t*'  -   .it  ns. 

He's  dead!  he'sdeadl  he'sdeadl 

And  tins  is  all  they've  left  me,  Xuma,  Xuma. 

Go,  gol  Lucia!  go.  bring  hack  a  witness  of  the  deed. 

Hi-  father's  m<  d  are  searching  for  him  now. 

-  left     Prtsmtbtn. 

let  II I  I V  A  HA  I  SS,  dr  iff  inf.  toner  lijt. 


Hypokrai  aw  the  d 

HYPOKRATES. 


LIVIA. 
The  infant's  death. 


The  deed? 


HYPOKRATES. 
>5°9  Ah  yes. 

LIVIA. 

Th 

HYPOKRATES. 
The  form  ■■•■  cued  by  a  clownish  knave, 


I         of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

And  tossed  into  the  Tiber  after  me; 
With  me  it  sank,  but  me  the  gods  preserved. 

LIVIA. 

A  useful  purpose  you  will  answer  still; 
2515  I  have  an  enemy  beyond  my  strength, 

And  you  have  mortal  poison. 

HYPOKRATES. 

No,  not  I,  for  that 's  against  the  statute; 
But,  I  have  a  little  powder  ring, 
Though  not  a  poison. 

LIVIA. 

Yet,  'twill  do, 

HYPOKRATES. 

'Tis  nothing  but  a  sleeping  potion,  lady. 

LIVIA. 

Sleep  they  long? 

HYPOKRATES. 

At  times,  they  do;  an  hour,  a  day,  a  month, 
A  year,  a  century;  according  to  the  dose. 
2525    Shall  we  exchange  our  rings? 

LIVIA. 

How  much  is  here? 

HYPOKRATES. 

About  three  hundred  years,  I  think, 
Perhaps  a  little  more. 

LIVIA. 

Well  met. 

HYPOKRATES. 

And  well  imbursed. 

LIVIA. 

Have  you  a  remedy  for  this? 

HYPOKRATES. 
2531  I  might  procure  one  for  you. 


Hi 


The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 


LIVIA. 

No!  do  not!  I  want  relief  cut  off; 
Procure  the  remedy  for  no  one!  here!        %Zi&?'Jk2 

HYPOKRATES. 
It  shall  be  so,  I  serve  my  clients  with  an  honor 
J536  Even  Pliny  well  might  envy  me. 

llr    tan   ./.tin   right.    LUCIA    and 
TRA.SQUILLIO'S  enter, middle  left. 

LUCIA. 

Tranquillius  saw  thy  Xuma  rescued  from  the  dogs, 
And  carried  oil  by  some  rough  fellow  in  plebian  garb. 

LIVIA. 
Go  tell  the  emperor. 

Bxil  TRANQVJLUUS.wtiddU  right    /.I,  'rom  LIVIA 

to  //)  POkRATES  LIVIA, ttarchimx .firtttntiy  fiiii  up  a  horn 
mncfiUni  it  with  ujter  at  the  imfluvium,  she  retires  to  the  stylo- 
tj.'e 

LUCIA. 

Hypokrates,  Bhe  hath  thy  poiBon,  thou  herring. 

Tranquillius,  return! 

She  .jf.hei    HYPOKRATES   b\  the 
arm  and  TRANQUILLIUS  reenter t. 

>W  Hypokrates  hath  Bold  the  empress  poison; 

In  her  grief  she  will  destroy  herself. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

l'<  -liferous  astrologer! 

HYPOKRATES. 

'Twas  not  a  poison, 
Nothing  more  than  just  a  bringer  of  Bweet,  restful  sleep. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

<  'ur  ears  have  heard  strange  stories  of  thy  Bleeping  potions; 

Thou  shalt  stand  convicted  when  I  crook  my  linger,  sir. 

HYPOKRATES. 
A  simple  sleeping-drug. 

TKANQUILLIUS. 
J55°  A  sleep  that  knows  no  ending; 

I  can  see  the  prison  gates  swing  ope  their  massive  jaws  for  thee. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 


"3 


HYPOKRATES. 

I  have  a  remedy.  Now  let  me  go.  The  pungent  odor  of  this 
root  will  drive  away  a  sleep  brought  on  by  drugs.  I  thought 
to  bring  her  back  to  life  myself  and  gain  the  credit  of  the 
prodigy,  but  you  shall  do  it  for  me,  gentle  sir.   exit,  lower  right. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

He  smells  the  root  and  displays  great  repugnance. 

I  can  not  blame  poor  Death  for  making  off  when  he  smells  this. 

He  catches  LUCIA  around  the  waist  and 
forces  her  to  smell  the  root.   He  kisses  her. 

LUCIA. 

She  comes!  we'll  hide  and  when  she  falls  asleep  we  '11  waken  her. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

Ah  no!  we'll  let  her  sleep  awhile, 
For  when  she  wakes  and  finds  her  purpose  foiled, 
3560  She  '11  take  some  surer  means. 

Events  must  dictate  our  responsibility. 

LUCIA. 

But  do  aet  wait  too  long. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

The  proper  hour  shall  be  the  proper  time. 

LUCIA. 

But  if  it  does  not  work? 
Perhaps  the  root  hath  not  the  power  to  overcome  the  drug 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

We  have  his  word. 

LUCIA 

He  feared  arrest. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

He  lied!  he  lied!  he  gave  us  this  that  he  might  get  away! 
The  empress  we  can  not  awake. 

LUCIA. 
J570  We  must  prevent — 

TRANQUILLIUS.  etching  he. 

Too  late!  she 's  drained  the  cup. 


■  .The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

LUCIA 
Then  let  us  get  the  emperor's  physicians. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

If  we  do  and  they  revive  her  she  will  find  another  way. 

LUCIA. 
He  may  have  spoke  the  truth;  the  odor  may  awaken  her. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
J575  Yea!  methinks  it  will.  //,„</;.,■ .  . 

LUCIA. 

All  do!  her  lace  is  white. 

TRANQUILLIUS. 
I  have  UOt  told  the  emperor  yet.  !$%?'$& 

LIVIA. 

It  is  the  end. 

The  pleasures  1  have  known  are  gone, 

The  happy  hours  have  trooped  away, 

Andsombn  and  bitter  miseries  consume  the  day. 

1  go  to  meet  the  ones  1  love.        Jler  /,.,„./  „•«»*/„. 

It  works!  It  work-'    1  see  ;is  in  a  dream. 

The  night  is  falling;  Titus!  Titus.        £",£* 
Happy  were  we  once,  oh  come  again,  again. 

Sm*  I   tnr  tjt    tin  re  /tint's 

:.  it*  fit-   ..  .-./   in    Jit-r    hanJ    She   tails  t<ji  i    upi  ■/   thr 

Sand  LUCIA.  */- 
ft-  right 

JUVENAL 
Sin- hath  destroyed  herself! 

I  A  puts  htr  rwttomtr  LIVIA     TMAJANtnttri,upp*t 

TRAJAN. 
3587  The  emperor  >it>  w  ithout  a  wife  indeed. 

BmUr  1  Jl  CS.  TACJT(IS,JULiA*m4  ri.oTINA,utt<r  riKht 

TITUS. 
Who  struck  the  jar?   We  heard  it  ring.  Our  wife! 

JUVENAL 

Thy  wife  is  dead. 

JULIA  aid  ri.OTlSA  stand  at  tkekrad  fif  Ike  couch,  weeping- 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS.        * 

TITUS. 

How  came  she  to  her  death? 

JUVENAL. 
2591  She  hath  the  look  of  poison,  sire. 

TRAJAN. 
I  saw  Hypokrates — 

TITUS. 

Go  bring  him  here! 

TRANQUILLIUS. 

He's  there. 

Exit  TRAJAN,  lower  right. 

TITUS. 

Though  we  regret  her  death, 

The  circumstances  move  us  to  the  utterance, 

That  she  hath  nobly  answered  for  ignoble  practices; 

We  pity  her  but  she  hath  merited  her  woe. 

HYPOKRATES  and  TRAJAN  reenter. 

TACITUS. 

Astrologer,  here  lies  the  evidence  of  thy  unlawful  traffic! 

HYPOKRATES. 

2600  It  was  not  a  mortal  drug  I  sold! 

She  said  she  had  an  enemy. 

I  have  a  cure!  m  searches. 

I  have  it  not,  but  I  can  get  it,  sir! 

TRAJAN. 

I  will  accompany  you. 

HYPOKRATES. 

'Tis  utterly  impossible 
For  me  to  get  the  remedy  unless  I  am  alone. 

TACITUS. 

Then  go  alone. 

TRAJAN. 

2608  This  is  a  trick  of  hrs  to  slip  away. 


'The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

TITUS. 

We  rest  upon  his  honor;  go. 

TRANQUILLIUS.  bypokxatzz. 

The  emperor  desired  her  death; 
Escape,  and  come  not  back. 

TRAJAN. 
J6n  Hypokrates,  obtain  the  remedy, 

Or  mix  thyself  a  fatal  drug,  if  you  like  not  a  sword. 

Bxit  HYPOKRATBS,lrm*r  right,  tkhttrUtg. 

TITUS. 

Inter  the  woman  privately. 

TACITUS. 

Unnatural  man! 

JUVENAL. 

You  flout  the  living  and  insult  the  dead. 

TRAJAN. 

With  this  abuse  of  power  shall  you  inaugurate  your  reign? 

TITUS. 
i6.8       S 

JUVENAL. 
Though  men  nay  still  before  your  anger, 
Yet  among  themselves  your  actions  will  they  narrowly  examine. 

TITUS. 

All  I  ask  i-  justice  fr<>m  the  tongues  of  men. 

By  lecrei         quiea  I  would  preserve  her 

From  the  .-diameful  reputation  of  her  life. 

TACITUS. 
It  was  yourself  who  took  her  from  the  temple. 

TITUS. 

Yea!  and  it  was  your  good  friend 
^6j6  Who  took  her  from  the  palace. 

JUVENAL 

This  is  why  the  name  of  Pliny  stands 


of  TITUS  FLAVTUS. 

In  bloody  characters  upon  the  list. 

TACITUS. 

A  baseless  accusation. 

JUVENAL. 

Pliny's  name  hath  never  yet  been  touched  by  scandal. 

TRAJAN. 

Pliny  took  the  forum  when  the  mob  in  lust  and  anger  stormed; 

His  voice  in  your  defence  above  the  tumult  rose, 

2°33  He  stood  against  the  multitude, 

He  whipped  them  back  to  silence, 

Cowed  their  rising  fury, 

And  his  eloquence,  his  great  authority  prevailed; 

His  arm  upheld  the  tottering  state. 

Enter  SEXTUS  and  PLINY,  lower  left. 

SEXTUS. 

The  noble  conduct  of  this  prisoner, 

His  loyalty  and  reputation 

Have  prevailed  upon  me  thus  to  bring  him  here, 

Before  he  goes  to  prison,  sire. 

PLINY. 

J*MJ  The  empress,  dead! 

TACITUS. 

Yea.  Titus  hath  accused  her  of  unfaithfulness, 
And  thus  she  answers  him. 

PLINY  perceives  that  he  is  thought  guilty 

PLINY. 

Am  I  the  man? 
Unjust  and  violent  decree! 
How  shalt  thou  e're  repair  this  injury? 
Upon  what  evidence  have  you  proceeded  to  this  monstrous  end? 

TITUS. 

Sufficient  for  myself. 

TACITUS. 

P%o  Produce  thy  evidence! 


-  The  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

PLINY. 
We  quarrel  in  the  presence  of  the  dead. 

The  soldiers  remote  the  couch  with  LI VI A' S  form.  Fxrunt 
LUCIA,  PLOTINA,  JULIA  and  SBXTUS,  upper  right. 

TITUS. 

She  plotted  with  her  brother  and  thyself. 
She  fled  to  thee  when  Casca  was  prepared  to  take  our  life. 

TACITUS. 

Infatuated  man,  her  brother  thought 

To  gain  the  favor  of  the  gods  by  sacrificing  her; 

2656  He  told  her  you  loved  Berenice, 

Thus  to  get  her  from  the  palace. 

TITUS. 
But  Bhe  fled  to  Pliny's  house. 

JUVENAL. 

I'.,  cause  ( raudentius  was  his  guest; 

Two  days  before,  and  1  should  now  be  taken  prisoner 

1  have  had  the  man  with  me: 

With  confidence  he  moved  along 
The  difficult  and  envious  pathway  of  his  art. 

TITUS. 
udentius  was  pour  guest? 

PLINY. 
His  instrument-  are  there,  his  children,  too. 

TITUS. 
-•mo  They  shall  be  sons  of  Rome. 

TACITUS. 

Then  this  IS  all  thy  evidence. 

She  had  no  thought  of  Pliny  when  she  went  to  Pliny's  house. 

TITUS. 
Her  Christian  declaration  — 

JUVENAL. 

Was  a  falsehood, 
Prompted  by  the  scheming  Auius  in  the  hope 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS. 

267J  That  Casca  in  his  sacrificial  fury 

Would  encounter  your  authority. 

They  poisoned  Li  via 's  mind, 

They  told  her  you  had  sentenced  her  to  death, 

That  only  by  this  subterfuge  could  she  escape; 

And  Casca  showed  her  this. 

TITUS. 

In  Berenice's  hand! 

An  order  for  her  death;  the  signature  my  ownl ' 

Accursed  Casca;  lost!  lost!  lost! 

O'ertake  Hypokrates! 

Oh  any  treasure  if  he  finds  the  remedy! 

TITUS  moves  upper  right,  but  stops.  TRANQUILLIUS.  at  the 
top  of  his  speed,  runs  across  from  the  [eft  and  leaping  the  stylobate 
disappears,  upper  right.   TRAJAN goe\  •  a!  hurriedly,  lower  right. 

No!  no!  I'm  sure  she  was  not  guiltless,  no! 

You  sympathize  with  her  and  hope  to  clear  your  friend. 

Her  brother,  though  he  wished  to  sacrifice  her, 

Why  should  he  dishonor  her? 

'Tis  hateful  to  suppose  him  base  without  a  reason. 

PLINY. 

2688  A  weighty  reason  moved  him,  sire; 

He  thought  to  bring  my  death  about, 

To  strike  at  me  with  your  despair, 

For  I  had  threatened  to  disclose  his  schemes  to  you; 

If  he  proceeded  with  them,  which  I  would  have  done 

Had  he  not  acted  on  the  impulse  of  the  moment. 

This  conspicacy  was  organized  by  Aulus; 

Casca,  through  a  chance,  took  up  the  work 

Where  Aulus  laid  it  down;  his  own  conspiracy, 

In  greater  caution  planned  he  never  carried  through. 

JUVENAL. 

And  never  will. 

TITUS. 

Yea!  yea!  you  seem  to  be  as  full  of  truth  as  he; 
2700  I  think  you  are  as  false. 

TACITUS. 

Conviction  is  upon  you  for 


-Tkc  IMPERIAL  AUTHORITY 

You  know  we  speak'  the  truth; 

No  longer  can  you  justify  your  harshness 

With  the  certainty  of  guilt; 

Admit  responsibility,  endure  remorse, 

3706  And  seek  to  raise  no  barrier  of  suspicion  up, 

To  hide  away  from  poignant  sorrow  and  disquietude. 

TITUS. 

No!  no!  for  you  yourself  did  copy  his  incriminating  speech, 

And  when  you  read  the  lines  to  us  and  reached 
The  dangerous  phrase,  in  Friendship  you  refused  the  rest. 

TACITUS. 

Is  this  the  last?  With  this  shall  your  suspicions  end? 
Read  then,  you  know  the  art. 

TACITOStahtsthttabi 

Ik,  ledge  and  TITUS  t  fjJt  ,1 

TITUS. 
"Oh!  Casca,  look!  Oh,  look  where  Livia  comesl 

The  charm  of  dignity  in  every  movement  lies, 
She  hath  the  fascination  of  immortal  loveliness. 
How  like  a  gentle  breath  she  moves  along  the  corridor. 
j;i;  H<>w  like  a  dream  her  pre-,  nee  makes 

The  cold  and  glooiny  hallways  of  this  palace  seem. 
She,  Ca-M  .t.  1-  tin  sister"  — 

TACITUS. 

There  I  stopped. 

TITUS. 

"She,  Casca, IS   thy  sister, 

Hers  the  <  yei  U)  blind  with  tears  and  burn, 

And  her-  the  voice  to  choke  with  grief, 

And  hers  the  heart  to  crush  beneath  thy  ruthless  heel, 

When  thou  -halt  kill  Vespasian  on  his  throne, 

And  ktr  the  noble  Titus  in  hi>  undeserved  tomb!" 

TACITUS. 

3717        I  stopped,  to  save  him  from  disgrace  and  ruin; 
Peace,  I  thought,  would  best  be  served  by  silence*. 


of  TITUS  FLAVIUS, 

PLINY. 

We  expected  to  dissuade  him  from  his  fateful  course. 

TITUS. 

Your  hopes  and  expectations  feebly  stood 
Against  this  devastating  storm. 

TACITUS. 
>73*  Its  fury  now  is  past. 

TITUS. 

Its  havoc  wrought! 
And  reparation  shall  not  build  these  ruins  up  again, 
Nor  shall  remorse  bring  back  the  dead. 


in 


TACITUS and  JUVEXAL,  standing  on  the  right,  grasp  TITUS 

■      is  hand  to  PLIXY, 
upper  left.     TITU^ 
facing  the  right  and  does  not  notice  that  they  have  moved  away 


hand  and  walk  apart.    TITUS  extends  his  hand  to  PLIXY,  who 
■  TTUS i 


then  joins   TACITUS  and  JUVEXAL.  upper  left.     TITUS  is 
facing  the  right  and  doe: 
lie  reads  the  tablet  again 

"Oh!  Casca,  look!  Oh,  look  where  Li  via  comes! 

Unseen  by  TITUS.  LI VI A  appears,  upper  right.  LUCIA 
is  with  her  and   TRAXQUTLLIUS  closely  follows  them. 

The  charm  of  dignity  in  every  movement  lies, 

She  hath  the  fascination  of  immortal  loveliness. 

How  like  a  gentle  breath  she  moves  along  the  corridor. 

How  like  a  dream  her  presence  makes 

LIVIA  reaches  the  right  side  of  the  impluvium. 

The  cold  and  gloomy  hallways  of  this  palace  seem. 

With  the  first  line  he  looks  up. 

2741  lyncs.*  Oh  look  where  Li  via  comes. 

They  embrace. 

TRAXQUILLIUS,  at  the  left  of  the  impluvium,  discovers  on  the 

floor  the  cake  which  he  has  ,  oveted  and  hushing  it  off,  he  goes  to 

LUCIA,   embraces  her  and  gives  her  a  portion  of  it.    The  others 

observe  the  groups  from  the  stylobate. 

(CURTAIX.) 

*Tbefe  1742  lynes  contayn  as  many  fyllables  as  are  con- 
tayned  in  a6t6  lyncs  of  the  clafsical  iambic  pentametrc. 


THE  CONCLUSION. 


''•NIV'-);sr/v  ,,.,  „ 

THIS  BOOK  is  nn^ 

Boo..  „„     8TAAIPED    BETL^LAST  ^TE 


748136 


VO  2M\ 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


